TV presenter quits over fiancée's death

TV presenter Mark Speight has quit CBBC show SMart in the wake of his fiancée's death.

Speight said he was unable to return to the children's art programme following the "tragic loss" of actress and presenter Natasha Collins.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder after the 31-year-old's body was found in the couple's flat in St John's Wood, London, on January 3.

He was later dropped as a suspect but is currently on bail on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs.

He said in a statement: "The tragic loss of Tash has affected her family and me very deeply and therefore I feel unable to commit to the next series of SMart, which is about to start filming. I do wish Kirsten [O'Brien, co-host] and all the team all the very best."

BBC Children's Entertainment head Joe Goodwin said: "The next series of SMart is just about to go into production and, given Mark's recent terrible loss, we completely understand his decision. Everyone at CBBC wishes him well."

Speight, who met Collins while filming BBC children's show See It Saw It, has denied any involvement in her death.