Mark Speight, CBBC Presenter, Arrested...

Big Orange · Post by **Big Orange** » 2008-01-04 01:53pm

Another seemingly innocent figure from my childhood potentially ruined:

Kids' shows off air after Speight arrest

Stephen Brook, Guardian Unlimited, Friday January 4 2008

The BBC has suspended programmes featuring children's presenter Mark Speight in the wake of his arrest following his fiancee's sudden death.

Children's channel CBBC has suspended repeats of the art programme SMart, while preschool channel CBeebies has suspended repeats of sister programme SMarteenies.

The BBC is set to release a statement later today, but it is understood executives feel that it would be inappropriate to screen the programmes while the circumstances of the death of Natasha Collins, Speight's fiancee and former co-presenter, remain unclear.

The current series of SMart had just finished its broadcast, with a new season not due to screen until later this year.

Collins was found dead in a bath at the couple's London home yesterday and police were called. The Metropolitan police are treating the death as "unexplained".

Speight was held in custody last night and released on bail. He said he was assisting officers with their inquiries.

He and Collins had previously co-presented another BBC show called See It, Saw It.

Speight is best known for the BBC children's show SMart, which has run for more than 10 years.

Link

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2008-01-04 02:00pm

He hasn't been charged with anything yet. Innocent until proven guilty, yes?

Big Orange · Post by **Big Orange** » 2008-01-04 02:07pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:He hasn't been charged with anything yet. Innocent until proven guilty, yes?

Yes, it just seems to be a tragic accident, with Natasha Collins most likely dying from drug/drink induced heart attack or brain haemorrhage. The police have not officially said anything yet that directly implicates Mark Speight.

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2008-01-04 02:10pm

Between this and Skitzo Spears, I'm rather bored with the news today.....

Big Orange · Post by **Big Orange** » 2008-01-04 02:12pm

OK, here's a official statement on behalf of Mark Speight from The Telegraph:

Distraught: Mark Speight's full statement
Last Updated: 2:48pm GMT 04/01/2008

The following statement was released on behalf of BBC children's TV presenter Mark Speight after the sudden death of his fiancee Natasha Collins:

"Mark has been questioned by the police on account of the fact that the body of his fiancee, Natasha Collins, was found in the flat they shared.

"At the moment no-one knows what happened. Mark found her body in the bathroom and immediately called an ambulance and the police.

"The police are conducting further enquiries and a post-mortem is under way.

"Mark was the only other person present in the flat and has therefore been questioned by police as a matter of course.

"He is assisting police with their enquiries and had nothing to do with Natasha's death.

"Mark is absolutely distraught at the loss of Natasha and hopes that everyone will appreciate what a very sad time this is for both Mark and Natasha's family.

"Mark hopes that you will afford them privacy to mourn their tragic loss."

Link

Generally sad all round...