Samantha Womack's father 'hangs himself'

The father of EastEnders actress Samantha Womack has been found hanged at his Brighton home, reports suggest.

Noel Janus, 60, is believed to have taken his own life at his one-bedroom council flat following a long period of depression.

Womack, best known for her role as Walford's Ronnie Mitchell, was seen crying outside the building yesterday after she arrived with her actor husband Mark.

While the soap star refused to speak to reporters, Mark commented: "She asks to be left alone to grieve with her family."

Meanwhile, local resident John Austin, 63, confirmed: "As far as we know [Noel] hanged himself. He was a nice chap and I got on with him. He seemed quite bright even though he had heart trouble."

Another neighbour Mark Berrige, 49, explained: "He told me he was going to hospital to get results on his heart. For all we know he might have known his illness was going to kill him and decided to take the easiest way out."

According to reports, Womack had a difficult relationship with her father, with their problems stemming back to his decision to walk out on his family when she was six years old. He was, however, present at her wedding in May.

The former songwriter's body was reportedly discovered by a concerned friend on Saturday.