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Michael Barrymore, once one of the UK’s biggest TV personalities, has made a surprising comeback, not on prime-time television, but as a TikTok star loved by millions.
From tragedy to TikTok: How Michael reinvented himself
Michael’s glittering career came to a halt after the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock at his Essex home in 2001. Following the scandal, he lost his ITV presenting roles and disappeared from mainstream media. His brief return on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, where he finished second, was the last time many saw him on T, until now.
TikTok fame and fortune?
Since 2022, Michael has been quietly building a huge following on TikTok and YouTube. With a massive 3.6 million followers and nearly 200 million likes on TikTok alone, he’s become a beloved figure to a whole new generation. PR expert Lynn Carratt estimates Michael could be earning upwards of £250,000 annually from his social media presence, including partnerships like one with Sports Direct that reportedly earned him £1,500 from a single clip.
Michael has become an unlikely icon for Gen Z and is now a well-loved TikToker and YouTube vlogger – credit: Michael Barrymore/TikToc
A fresh start on his own terms
A close friend told The Sun: “Michael is having a great time. He lives to entertain people, and while he may not be getting the TV offers he once did, this way he gets to create his own content on his own terms.”
Fans see him not as an out-of-touch TV icon, but as “Uncle Michael”, or even one of their own, sharing his infectious humour in a relaxed, relatable way.
Homesick in Spain?
Last year, Michael announced he was moving to Spain, but after just six weeks, he was nearly in tears, confessing he missed home deeply. His fans rallied to support him, urging him to “just come home.”
