Brother of former EastEnders actor Gemma McCluskie admits responsibility for her death

Gemma McCluskie, a former EastEnders actor, went missing after attending the opening of a London hospital. Photograph: Metropolitan Police

The brother of EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie has accepted responsibility for her death.

Tony McCluskie is charged with murdering the actress, whose headless torso was discovered in the Regent’s Canal near Broadway Market.

Appearing via videolink at the Old Bailey, he indicated no plea. But his barrister said 35-year-old Mr McCluskie accepted responsibility for the death, meaning the issue will now be whether it was a case of murder or manslaughter.

Ms McCluskie, 29, played Kerry Skinner in the BBC soap in 2001.

She was reported missing in March, and her friends, along with former co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella, launched a huge search across the capital and appealed for help on Twitter.

Mr McCluskie, formerly of Pelter Street, Hackney, was remanded in custody and will stand trial in the coming months.