By
Daily Mail
3 May 2005
Michael Barrymore is planning to marry his boyfriend Shaun Davis after gay weddings were made legal in New Zealand.
The pair, who have been together for seven years, have told friends they want to be among the first to take advantage of the law, which was put into force last week.
Barrymore fled to New Zealand, where Davis is from, two years ago after his one-man show in the West End was mauled by critics. His former wife Cheryl died from cancer last month
A source close to 53-year- old Barrymore said he had wanted to marry as soon as the law came in, but thought it was inappropriate so soon after Cheryl's death.
'But they are still planning a big wedding soon,' the source added. 'They have been through so much together that they want to show the world that their love is for keeps.'
Barrymore was once Britain's highest-paid entertainer. But TV work dried up after the mysterious death of party guest Stuart Lubbock at his home in 2001. Barrymore fled the scene after discovering the body.
He currently has a small role in a touring production of Chicago in New Zealand. Davis, who is 22 years younger, is studying to be a doctor.
