Michael Barrymore gets New Zealand residency

1.30pm

Controversy-plagued British entertainer Michael Barrymore has been granted New Zealand residency.

A spokeswoman said today Barrymore had found out only last night that he would be allowed to live in New Zealand -- something the comedian says is a dream come true.

"I love this country and consider myself very lucky to be accepted as a resident," he said in a statement.

The 52-year-old Barrymore has been here since New Year's Day, after choosing New Zealand to relaunch his career more than two years after a man was found dead in his swimming pool in England.

Barrymore has not worked in Britain since Stuart Lubbock was found floating in a spa pool after a party at the star's home in March 2001.

Barrymore was shunned by his former television employers after an inquest last September left an open verdict on Lubbock's death.

Barrymore's lawyer Richard Martin told NZPA that his client was granted residency under the partnership category, based on his relationship with Shaun Davis, a Briton with New Zealand residency.

Neither the open verdict on Mr Lubbock's death, nor suggestions that Barrymore owes a large tax bill in Britain, were relevant, Mr Martin said.

"No court case. He's got a clean police record. There was an inquest... we have a clean police record," Mr Martin said.

A clean police record was accepted as meeting the health and character criteria by the Immigration Service.

Barrymore, who was informed yesterday, was "very very very pleased" Mr Martin said.

As a resident, Barrymore can stay in New Zealand permanently and apply for citizenship. Mr Martin said they would deal with that at the time, if he met criteria.

At the British inquest into Mr Lubbock's death one witness described how Barrymore had rubbed cocaine into Mr Lubbock's gums, and medical evidence said Mr Lubbock suffered anal injuries.

Auckland-based Barrymore today launches a Kiwi "heartland" tour with a sold-out concert in Whangarei tonight.

Barrymore has previously said he has been overwhelmed by support shown by fans in New Zealand, and back in England.

"I've always said that New Zealand is the planet's best kept secret and have always been made to feel so welcomed and at home here," he said.

"I can't think of a more fantastic place to be able to settle."

The Lubbock scandal dealt a fatal blow to Barrymore's television career, with employer ITV saying after the inquest that there were no plans to commission any new programmes featuring him.

The BBC cancelled a deal, thought to be worth more than $1.5 million, to publish his memoirs.

Barrymore has said he hoped New Zealand would provide the "foundation for... a new chapter in my life".

There have been suggestions he had fled a tax bill of £1.4 million ($3.8 million).

The Daily Mail said Barrymore had struck a deal with Britain's Inland Revenue deferring payment until May, when his legal battle with Granada TV is likely to be settled.

The entertainer is suing Granada for axing him in November 2001, one year before his contract was due to expire.

Barrymore said his move to New Zealand had been planned for some time.

"Despite media reports. I have not fled the UK, neither have I walked away from my responsibilities.

"My only comment on this [tax] matter is all those concerned are fully informed. My home is on the property market back in the UK and, again to correct media reports, I have neither sold this property nor purchased a property here in New Zealand."

He and Mr Davis are renting in Auckland.

Barrymore's 11-date heartland tour is called "My Kind of Kiwis" where he says he wants to discover the essence of Kiwiness .

He has talked about the media persecution he endured after Mr Lubbock 's body was found in his pool.

Barrymore said it prompted him to confront addictions to drink and drugs.

"It wasn't my responsibility but it happened around that environment," he said in an interview last year. "I haven't seen too many tragedies around coffee and tea."

- NZPA