Michael Barrymore's Spanish Dream Turns Sour, Leading to Devon Home Purchase
Michael Barrymore, the former primetime television star, has dramatically reversed his decision to emigrate to Spain and has instead settled into a new home in Devon. The 73-year-old entertainer, who once pledged to leave Britain behind for a fresh start in Barcelona, has purchased a modest two-bedroom bungalow in a fashionable southern town in Devon, valued at £385,000.
From Barcelona Plans to Devon Reality
Barrymore had announced his intention to move to Spain last year, telling his 3.5 million social media followers he was excited to begin a new chapter near Barcelona with his whippet, Lara. However, his plans quickly unraveled when he became entangled in anti-tourism protests by Spanish activists in March. In an emotional selfie video from his car during the three-day drive back to the UK, Barrymore expressed profound homesickness and insecurity, stating, "I'm a f***ing mess, so homesick, I've never experienced it before." He added that he felt he had let people down by abandoning the move.
New Life in Devon Documented on TikTok
Since moving into the Devon bungalow two weeks ago, Barrymore has been actively sharing his relocation journey on TikTok. His videos showcase the timber-clad beach house-style property, which features exposed wooden beams and a white kitchen worktop, as well as a small decking area described by the estate agent as "a great space to entertain or simply relax." He has posted content of himself posing for selfies with locals, taking Lara to nearby beaches, and going on regular shopping trips in the South West.
In one video from his new home, Barrymore described the move as "traumatic," explaining, "I've got loads of mixtures of emotions. Lara's been brilliant, she loves it here, I'm very near the beaches, we've got lots of land around here." He admitted to feeling lost at times but expressed gratitude for welcoming neighbours who brought a bottle to greet him, though he noted he does not drink.
Career Fallout and Financial Adjustments
Barrymore's career, which once saw him earning £2 million annually from ITV as a top Saturday night star, ended abruptly after the death of Stuart Lubbock in 2001 following a party at his Essex home. He was questioned by detectives but has always denied any involvement in Lubbock's suspected murder. In recent years, he has reinvented himself as a TikTok personality, garnering a new generation of fans.
To facilitate the move to Devon, Barrymore had to reduce the asking price of his West London flat in Acton by over £100,000, from £600,000 to £475,000, after struggling to sell it. The flat, part of a converted 1920s building originally used by the Ministry of Work and Pensions, offers two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a private courtyard, and underground parking.
Neighbourly Welcome and Property Details
Neighbours in Devon have already welcomed Barrymore, with one resident remarking, "We met him when he first moved in. He seems a lovely chap. It's a bit surprising to have somebody you used to watch on telly living around the corner but he seems to be making friends and he's very welcome." The bungalow is completely enclosed by pretty stone walling for privacy, with a gated entrance, driveway parking for one vehicle, and a garden with timber decking and a shed for extra storage.
Barrymore's shift from a planned Spanish emigration to a settled life in Devon highlights his ongoing personal and professional reinvention, as he navigates emotions of fear, excitement, and nervousness while embracing his new community.
