A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered to anyone who can provide information into the death of Stuart Lubbock who was found in entertainer Michael Barrymore's swimming pool almost 19 years ago.

It is the first time any reward has been offered in connection with the case as Essex Police remains determined to secure justice for Mr Lubbock and his family.

Essex Police and the independent charity Crimestoppers joined forces to offer the reward in connection to the unsolved crime in at Mr Barrymore's home in Roydon on March 31, 2001.

A new major documentary focusing on the unsolved case, Barrymore: The Body in the Pool, is due to air on Channel 4, on Thursday, February 6.

The programme, which hopes to encourage new witness appeals and evidence to come forward, will follow forensic teams piecing together the events following the party at Mr Barrymore's home.

Mr Lubbock had been attending a party at the Roydon property with eight other people before his body was found in the pool the next day. He was 31 years old.

The force, who have appointed a new Senior Investigating Officer DCI Stephen Jennings to lead the investigation, took part in the upcoming documentary.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Channel 4's documentary focusing on TV presenter Michael Barrymore's Roydon home, Barrymore: The Body in the Pool, will air on Thursday, February 6

DCI Jennings said: “For almost 19-years the rape and death of Stuart Lubbock has remained a mystery and his family, in particular his devoted father Terry, have longed for both answers and justice.

“I and Essex Police are determined to do all we can to give Terry those answers and to bring someone to justice for what happened to Stuart.

“Nine people went to the party at Michael Barrymore’s house, but only one of them – Stuart – ended up being violently sexually assaulted and murdered.

“We know not everyone at that party was responsible for what happened, but someone was. We also know that not everyone at that party may know what happened, but someone does.

“It is also possible that individuals at the party may have told other people what happened that night – if you know anything please come forward.

“Please help us to help Stuart’s family finally get answers and justice.”

Despite attempts to save him, Mr Lubbock was declared dead at 8.20am at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Lubbock had suffered horrific anal injuries which experts believe were the result of a serious sexual assault that happened prior to his death.

In the aftermath of the discovery of the 31-year-old's body, some individuals left the property while others, who hadn’t been at the party, arrived and key items of possible forensic interest also disappeared from the house.

The cause of Stuart’s death remains unascertained and an inquest in 2002 recorded an open verdict.

Mick Duthie, director of operations at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Many years have passed and it may be that you know who was responsible but have never spoken about what happened that night. You’ve sat on this information for 19 years.

"The family continue to grieve and this is your opportunity to help them understand what happened to Stuart by telling us what you know.

“Last year over half a million people trusted Crimestoppers with their information. Please, if you know what happened, contact our charity. We guarantee you will stay 100 per cent anonymous.

"Call our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or use our anonymous online form on our website at Crimestoppers-uk.org”

Speaking about the involvement in the Channel 4 documentary DCI Jennings added: “This case has always been about the sexual assault and death of Stuart Lubbock.

“The Channel 4 documentary rightly focuses on the story of a young man, Stuart Lubbock, who went out clubbing with his brother and never returned home.

“We wanted to be part of an intelligent and sensitively-made programme that forensically pieces together the events of that night and what happened in the hope that it will help us in our quest for justice for Stuart and his family.”

Please note: The reward will only be available for information given to Crimestoppers and not the police.

To be eligible for the reward, the information must lead to arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the rape and murder of Stuart Lubbock.