Mark Speight found dead

Children's BBC presenter found hanged at Paddington station

Mark Speight, the children's television presenter, has been found dead at Paddington Station.

The 42-year-old's body was found hanging in a secluded area of the station yesterday morning, following his disappearance last Monday.

It is believed Mr Speight was unable to cope with the death of his fiancée Natasha Collins and the revelations that followed about their private lives.

Mr Speight, who presented the BBC children's programme SMart for 10 years, discovered his partner dead in a bath of scolding water in January after a night taking cocaine.

Initially Mr Speight was arrested on suspicion of murder and supplying Class A drugs but was last month told he would not be charged.

The TV presenter was last seen on CCTV cameras at Queen's Park tube station last Monday afternoon and was said to be in a 'vulnerable' state. Police have also revealed that they spoke to Mr Speight on the day he disappeared and he appeared 'distracted'.

Fears had grown for the presenter's safety after the inquest into Miss Collins's death last week.

The mother of Miss Collins - with whom Mr Speight had been living since her daughter's death - is said to be 'devastated'.

Mr Speight's solicitor, Nabeel Sheikh commented: 'He had real difficulties in coping with what happened to Natasha and wasn't able to do so and as a result has taken his life.

'I think that the whole traumatic experience he has been through is something that he needed help with.'