Actress’s brother on murder charge

The brother of the former EastEnders actress whose headless body was found dumped in a canal will appear in court today charged with her murder.

Gemma McCluskie’s limbless torso was discovered floating near Broadway Market in Hackney, London, after she had attended a high-profile hospital opening ceremony last Thursday.

Her 35-year-old brother, Tony, was formally charged by police on Saturday night as divers continued their searches for Miss McCluskie’s remaining body parts.

He will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court, Scotland Yard said.

McCluskie, 29, who played Kerry Skinner in the BBC soap opera in 2001, disappeared after attending the opening of the £650 million Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, east London.

She was reported missing to police two days later.