Barrymore, who fell from grace in 2001 following the death by drowning of Stuart Lubbock during a party at his mansion, is tipped to appear on the Channel 4 show, which kicks off on Thursday. Barrymore had previously left his wife and come out as gay.
Lubbuck's father has spoken out at the reports which claim the now-bankrupt 'Strike It Lucky' star is being paid £150,000 to appear on the week-long show.
"It's sickening that he's being paid all that money, totally wrong," Lubbuck said.
"Channel 4 are obviously going to gain ghoulish publicity and viewers on the back of this. But I find the whole thing sick.
"I'd put Channel 4 in the doghouse with Barrymore. They've got to be tarred with the same brush."
A Channel 4 spokesperson refused to comment on whether Barrymore is among the house mates saying "we never reveal the line-up of celebrities until the night before the show".
Although there has been no official announcements, other stars reported to appear include former Pogues frontman Shane McGowan, 'You Are What You Eat' nutritionalist Dr Gillian McKeith, comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, TV presenter Esther Rantzen and former pop star Boy George who faces a drugs charge in New York.
Although there is no confirmation of any celebrity, '18-stone of Idiot' comic Vegas is being seen as a potential winner of the show. Last year Happy Mondays dancer Bez won, while comedian Jack Dee and 'Take That' singer Mark Owen have won previous outings.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
_1.jpg)
.jpg)
