A date has been set for the trial of the brother of Eastenders star Gemma McCluskie who has been charged with her murder.

Tony McCluskie, 35, will face trial at the Old Bailey for the killing of the 29-year-old actress on November 12.

Miss McCluskie, who played the character of Kerry Skinner in the popular BBC soap 11 years ago, went missing from her Bethnal Green Home in March.

Her headless body was pulled from the Regents Canal, near Broadway Market, on March 6. Other body parts were later pulled from the water. She was identified by her distinctive tattoo.

Flowers were placed close to the spot where the body was found, bearing truibutes. One read: "Gemma, we will miss you always".

She was described by her family as a "bubbly, outgoing, strong and independent woman".

Eastenders
Gemma McCluskie played Kerry Skinner in Eastenders in 2001 (BBC)

Gemma appeared in more than 30 episodes of Easetenders, which was her only major acting role. She then later went on to act as a carer for her ageing mother.

The initial search for McCluskie was supported by fellow actors Brooke Kinsella and Martine McCutcheon, who publicised it through Twitter.

Twitter