'Belonging' actress found dead

A young actress who starred in the BBC drama Belonging has been found hanged, police confirmed to the corporation.

Stephanie Parker, 22, played Stacey Weaver for six years in the long-running TV programme, which came to an end last Thursday, and appeared in Casualty and in Radio 4 dramas.

Parker's body was found on open ground near Pontypridd on Saturday morning. Agent Mark Jermin said: "Our thoughts are with the family and it is really sad. She was a great talent and we are really shocked."

Clare Hudson, BBC Wales's head of English language programmes, said everyone at BBC Wales was shocked by the tragedy.

"Stephanie's talent played a major part in making Belonging the success it was and I'm sure that the programme's fans will be shocked by this untimely news," she said. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time."