Torso feared to be EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie found Published duration 8 March 2012

image caption Gemma McCluskie's family and friends have put up missing person posters around east London

A 35-year-old man has been arrested after a female torso, feared to be that of a missing former EastEnders actress, was found in a canal in London.

The body, which was found in the Broadway Market stretch of Regent's Canal in Hackney on Tuesday, is feared to be that of Gemma McCluskie, 29.

The arrested man is believed to be her brother Tony McCluskie.

Ms McCluskie, who starred as Kerry Skinner in 2001, disappeared from Bethnal Green, east London, last week.

Twitter appeal

Scotland Yard said it knew the victim's identity but was awaiting results of further forensic tests before formal identification.

Family and friends have been carrying out searches across east London and handing out missing person posters.

image caption The actress appeared in the BBC One soap in 2001

Gemma McCluskie appeared in the BBC One soap in 2001.

Her former co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella have both appealed for help on Twitter to find her.

Ms Cassidy, who played Sonia Jackson in the soap, also posted on the website: "Gemma Mcluskie, missing since Thurs, if u have sn her/have any info PLS contact @CarlyKarma ... #FindGemma."

A post-mortem examination on the body is due to take place at Poplar Mortuary later.

The arrested man remains in custody at an east London station.

Police were called to the scene after a passer by noticed something suspicious in the canal.

Divers from Scotland Yard's Marine Support Unit recovered the torso and additional searches are due to be carried out in the water.

Ms McCluskie is 5ft 1in (1.5m) tall with straight black hair.

Police said at the time she went missing she had been wearing a cream coloured top, blue leggings and sandy coloured Ugg boots.

Ms McCluskie appeared in the BBC One soap for 30 episodes.