Piers Morgan has said Michael Barrymore feels “raw anger” over the circumstances of his ruined career.
Barrymore, who will appear on Morgan’s ITV series Life Stories, was one of the best-known TV presenters in the country when a man was found dead at his home in Roydon, Essex, in 2001.
Six years later Barrymore was arrested in connection with the death, which he says destroyed his career.
Barrymore will discuss the incident on Life Stories and Morgan said he was angry the public “don’t want to accept that he was an innocent man”.
He told the Daily Star: “He had everything and then lost it all. He lost his marriage and career, and nearly lost his livelihood, but ultimately was never convicted in relation to any of the events people know him for.
“He feels raw anger that he’s not been allowed to rebuild his career, because people don’t want to accept that he was an innocent man.
“It will be the most powerful show we’ve ever aired. Michael showed us what made him the most popular guy in TV.”
Barrymore, 67, was arrested after 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock was found dead in his swimming pool. Mr Lubbock’s body was found in the pool after a party where drugs and alcohol were consumed.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had suffered serious anal injuries. In 2002, an open verdict was recorded at the inquest into his death.
Barrymore, known for presenting shows including Strike It Lucky, My Kind Of People and My Kind Of Music, won compensation from Essex Police last year for wrongful arrest.