Man arrested after body found in Regent’s Canal

A 35-year-old man has been arrested after a female torso, believed to be that of missing former EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie, was pulled from the Regents Canal this week.

The body was spotted in the canal near Broadway Market by a passer by on Tuesday 6 March.

Ms McCluskie, 29, who played Kerry Skinner on the BBC soap in 2001, went missing from Bethnal Green last week.

Police have launched a murder investigation and confirmed that they knew the victim’s identity but were waiting for the results of forensic tests before formally naming her.

A post-mortem examination of the body was due to take place at Poplar Mortuary on Wednesday 7 March.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious around the Regents Canal to contact the Incident Room on 020 8345 3985, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.