The body of Gemma MCCluskie, the former Eastenders actress, is believed to have been found in a canal in east London, Sky News understands. Police found a headless torso near to the Broadway Market stretch of Regent's Canal in Hackney on Tuesday (March 6, 2012) and her brother Tony has been arrested.

Although sources say he remains in custody at a London police station, police have not yet confirmed the identity of the suspect. A statement from the Met Police said, "Police were initially contacted by a member of the public who had noticed something suspicious floating in the water.The torso was recovered by divers from the Met's Marine Support Unit and additional searches are due to be carried out in the water". Miss MCCluskie starred in Eastenders as Kerry Skinner in 2001 - she arrived in Walford as a friend of Zoe Slater and briefly dated Robbie Jackson. Her former co-star Brooke Kinsella had appealed for help finding her on Twitter, telling fans, "Gemma MCCluskie has been MISSING from Bethnal Green since Thursday please get in touch if you have seen her". Another former co-star Natalie Cassidy, posted, "Gemma MCCluskie, missing since Thurs, if u have sn her/have any info PLS contact CarlyKarma ... FindGemma".

Officers believe they know the identity of the torso, but are awaiting further forensic tests before making a formal identification.