Former television star Michael Barrymore, with whisky his only friend

The former television star spent Monday evening slumped in a bar in Notting Hill, West London.

Barrymore, 56, appeared to have a lot on his mind as he stared off into space.

After several hours, and a few short naps between drinks, he continued his solitary evening at a Persian restaurant close by - although onlookers said he spilled most of his food on the floor.

Cold comfort: Barrymore stares into nothingness,with just a drink to keep him company as he sat alone in a Notting Hill bar

The fallen funnyman spent more than three hours in a wine bar

One said: 'By that point, he was beyond drunk. He just looked really sad and frail. He didn't speak to anyone and no one seemed to take much notice of him.'

Barrymore's television career collapsed after the mysterious death of Stuart Lubbock during a party at the star's Essex home in 2001.

Stuart, a 31-year-old father of two, had been sexually assaulted during the drug fuelled party hosted by Barrymore.

An open verdict was recorded, but a second inquest may be held following a campaign by Mr Lubbock's father.

Barrymore is scheduled to appear at next month's Edinburgh Fringe, playing Spike Milligan in Surviving Spike.

At the opening night of the provincial run of the play, at Windsor's Theatre Royal, Barrymore took to the stage only to find Stuart's father Terry Lubbock sitting in the front row.