Essex Police said the man, 50, who has not been named, was arrested in Cheshire. They will now question every person who attended the party – including Mr Barrymore.
Butcher Mr Lubbock, 31, had been attending a party at Barrymore’s luxury home in Roydon with eight other people on March 31, 2001, when he died.
Detective Superintendent Lucy Morris told reporters that the suspect continues to be questioned by detectives.
“As we said a year ago, and have repeatedly said over the past 20 years, nine people were at that party”, Ms Morris said.
“We know that not everyone was responsible for what happened but someone was.Now is the time to come forward, if you haven’t done so already, to set this matter to rest by providing us with any information you have.
“We believe someone or some people at that party knows what happened.”
She added that new information leading to the arrest came to light following a Channel 4 documentary and police appeal with an increased reward.
“The arrest comes after significant new information came to light following our renewed appeal for information and offer of an enhanced reward, which coincided with a major TV documentary broadcast in February 2020″, Ms Morris said.
“This information has led to us making an arrest and over the coming days we will be contacting all those who were present at the party at the time as well as others who may have information.”
Responding to the arrest, Lubbock’s 76-year-old father Terry, who is terminally ill, said it was “good news”, but added; “But it’s been 20 years. This has nearly killed me.”
Harry Clichy, a friend of the Lubbock family, added: “We can only hope it leads to justice for Stuart after all these years.”
Barrymore, 68, who became a household name for shows such as Strike It Lucky, was criticised for leaving his home soon after Mr Lubbock was found floating in the outside pool.
In 2007, he was arrested alongside his former partner Jonathan Kenny and fellow party guest Justin Merritt on suspicion of sexual assault and murder, but all three were later released without charge.
The TV star has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said last year: “I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.”
A post-mortem examination showed Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries which suggested he had been sexually assaulted.
Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.
At an inquest in 2002, the coroner recorded an open verdict. In 2009, the police watchdog published the findings of a review of the investigation into Mr Lubbock’s death, concluding that officers missed crucial evidence and did not ensure vital forensic tests were completed until six years later.
In a statement, Essex Police said: “Detectives have today, Wednesday 17 March, arrested a 50-year-old man in connection with the indecent assault and murder of Stuart Lubbock.
“The man, who was arrested in Cheshire, remains in custody where he continues to be questioned.
“Stuart was found unconscious in the swimming pool of a property in Roydon on March 31 2001. Despite attempts to save him he later died in hospital. The 31-year-old had been attending a party at the house with eight other people.
“A post-mortem examination found Stuart had suffered injuries which are believed to be the result of a serious sexual assault prior to his death.”
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