Brother of UK Soap Actress Admits Killing Her

The brother of a former star of British soap "EastEnders" whose headless and limbless torso was found in a London canal admitted to killing her on Friday but denied murder.

The remains of Gemma McCluskie were pulled from Regent's Canal in east London on March 1, but the 29-year-old's severed head was not discovered until September.

Tony McCluskie, 35, appearing at the Old Bailey court in London via videolink from prison, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder.

He has said he "suffered a loss of control" which led to her death.

A trial on the murder charge, which was due to start last month but was postponed, will begin on January 14.

Judge Gerald Gordon said there must be no further delay, adding: "The family must have closure."

McCluskie lived in Hackney, east London, with his sister, who played Kerry Skinner in the BBC TV soap in 2001.