The home of reality TV star and Britain’s first openly gay football club owner Barrie Drewitt-Barlow has been raided by police as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape.
Officers are understood to have forced entry into the property this morning by knocking through a wooden fence.
Drewitt-Barlow, who bought non-league Maldon and Tiptree FC last February, lives in the plush Essex mansion with husband Scott.
Forensic units were last night scouring the modern home, along a country lane near the town of Danbury, with several police vehicles seen parked on the driveway.
Essex Police later confirmed that two men - aged 57 and 32 - were arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance.
Officers also searched properties in nearby Braintree and Maldon.
Drewitt-Barlow is to star in an upcoming ITV documentary, due for broadcast next week, about his ownership of Maldon and Tiptree FC and how he plans to turn round the fortunes of the football club.
In a statement, a spokesman for Essex Police said tonight: ‘Detectives leading an investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual offences have today, Wednesday 6 May, made two arrests and carried out a series of warrants.
Two men have been arrested after the Barrie Drewitt-Barlow's Essex masion was raided by police as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape
Officers are understood to have knocked through a wooden fence to get into the compound this morning
Reality TV star Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 55, is Britain's first openly gay football club owner and is due to star in a Welcome to Wrexham-style documentary
‘Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police have today carried out co-ordinated searches of premises in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree as part of their investigation.
‘Searches remain ongoing at all of the locations.
‘Two men from Danbury have also been arrested. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of: rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance.
‘A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance.
‘Both men remain in custody where they are being questioned by detectives.’
Detective Inspector Lydia George, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘If anyone has any information they feel ready to share with us, I would ask them to contact us via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) and the investigation team will provide you with any specialist support required.’
Drewitt-Barlow and his ex-husband Tony made headlines in 1999 when they became one of the first gay couples in the UK to have children through a surrogate mother.
More recently, the entrepreneur let a stranger live in his house for a reality show and has appeared on other shows such as Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
He is due to star in a Welcome to Wrexham-style documentary in which cameras have followed every step of his tumultuous first year as owner of the Maldon and Tiptree, who finished this season as champions of the Isthmian League North.
Six-part series Up The Jammers, to be shown on ITV4, follows Drewitt-Barlow and Scott as they strive to take the team to the English Football League within four years.
Police were also seen at the club house of Mr Drewitt-Barolow's non-league Maldon and Tiptree FC which he bought last February
The club house and stadium were searched by officers in relation to the investigation
Squad cars and a forenic police van were seen in the club's car park
In the past, Drewitt-Barlow has claimed to have been approached by footballers - three of which he says are currently playing in the Premier League - who are hiding being gay.
He told the BBC that while he is happy to help, he did not want to become ‘the poster boy for gay footballing’.
He said: ‘I've already been classed as the poster boy for gay parenting or surrogacy and it doesn't get anybody anywhere," he adds.
‘I don't think people want to [come out] because they're scared about what might happen in the dressing room, as well as on the pitch.
‘I think the only people that can truly help and make it more normalised are the leagues and the FA.’