Gemma McCluskie Pic: Metropolitan Police Service

The brother of former EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie, who was found dead last week, appeared in court today. Tony McCluskie is accused of murdering his sister and dumping her torso in Regent’s Canal.

McCluskie, 35, of Pelter Street in Hackney, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court today. He is accused of committing the murder between February 29 and March 6.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, before being remanded in custody. McCluskie was told a bail hearing will take place at the Old Bailey within the next 48 hours, with a preliminary hearing in the trial provisionally set for March 26.

The 29-year-old actress, who was best known for playing Kerry Skinner in TV soap EastEnders in 2001, went missing from her home in Bethnal Green on February 29, after attending the opening of the new Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

The torso was found after a member of the public reported seeing a suspicious object floating in the canal near Hackney’s Broadway Market early last week. McCluskie’s brother was then arrested on Wednesday. Police are still searching for the rest of her body.