Morning:
19°c
It’s amazing to learn they did any research at all — unless it was into farting and foreskins
Teenager becomes the first person to die of swine flu in London and the fourth in the country
More...
The last pictures of grief-stricken TV star Mark Speight caught on Tube station CCTV
Last updated at 01:22am on 11.04.08Standing by the ticket barrier on the London Underground, this grainy image is the last known sighting of missing children's TV presenter Mark Speight.
He was caught on CCTV entering Queen's Park tube station in north London on Monday, still tormented by the drugs death of his fiancée Natasha Collins, 31, three months ago.
He had found her lying in a scalding bath after he woke from a drugs and booze binge the couple had indulged in.
The CCTV image shows Mr Speight apparently patting his pockets as if he was looking for something before going to board a Bakerloo line train.
Scroll down for more...
Missing: These images of Mark Speight were captured on CCTV at Queen's Park Tube station at 2.25pm on Monday, April 7
Moments before, he withdrew money out of an ATM near the station.
Fears have been growing for Speight who has not been in touch with his family since Monday morning.
About an hour earlier on the day Speight was last seen, two police officers had seen him in Kilburn, north London, behaving oddly.
They offered to call him a doctor or simply someone to talk to but he hurried off.
He had then arranged a meeting at a Covent Garden coffee shop with Miss Collins's mother Carmen, 57.
Scroll down for more...
Grief-stricken: Speight arriving at the inquest into Natasha Collins' death with the actress's mother, Carmen
He had been staying with her family in Palmers Green, north London.
It is known that he boarded a train in the direction of Covent Garden but did not turn up.
His mobile phone has been switched off and is untraceable, said police.
And it remains a mystery as to what happened after Speight stepped on the Tube.
A family friend said: "We have no idea what happened.
"It seems Mark had every intention of making the meeting with Carmen.
"When he left home that morning there was nothing to suggest anything was wrong. He was comparatively upbeat."
The search has now spread nationwide to places he enjoyed visiting with Miss Collins.
The officer leading the hunt, Detective Inspector Declan Williams, said: "They used to visit places outside London like the Thames Valley area, the Cotswolds and places in Dorset.
"We are contacting local forces to check them out."
Last week, Westminster Coroner Dr Paul Knapman recorded a verdict of death by misadventure on Miss Collins who had a "very significant" amount of cocaine in her system.
Mr Speight, 42, told police the couple had been "partying" at home in St John's Wood where they had taken cocaine and sleeping pills as well as drinking wine and vodka.
Friends say he has been unable to come to terms with Miss Collins's death and suffered terrible bouts of guilt.
In February, he resigned from his job as presenter of BBC children's programme SMart unable to work because of his grief.
Cocaine binge: Speight's fiancée Natasha Collins was found badly burned in a scalding bath
Reader views (24)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
RIP Mark. You were a talented guy. Why did you have to go?
- Emma M, Somerset
I couldn't believe when I heard of this! He was a cool guy I had met him once in London but only for a second he was instantly likeable, what a shame! He was a great guy its really upsetting to think of the pain he was going through... R.I.P Mark
- Stuart Longley, London
He was great on smart, RIP Mark.
- Dominic Hp, Kent, England
RIP mark you will be missed so much, I pray when we die we meet our loved ones never to be parted again, and I pray from the bottom of my heart you and Natasha are arm in arm for ever. My thoughts go to your families at this sad time. God bless you both.
- Pauline Beckley, Rochester, Kent
Mark was fantastic he was a big role model to me with his excellent art skills and his funniness. It makes you sick with all these people passing away in the world. What can we do to stop this? I lost a friend close to me and that was really upsetting and I never met Mark, but he was a brilliant guy.
- Ricky Battams 13 Years Of Age, blackpool england
RIP Mark, you will be truly missed. I have always wanted to meet him. RIP fella.
- Martin Lewis, Wales
This is incredibly sad for all concerned. I had hoped that he would have turned up OK but it sadly wasn't to be. His family, friends and Natasha's family are in my thoughts. I am not religious but I hope they are now together and at peace. Their families must be going through hell, it is so sad.
I don't really know how to explain about his death to my daughter who is a fan of Smart - I would imagine lots of parents have the same dilemma.
- Purplecaz, Mansfield
An absolute legend, he was my hero as a kid! Always wanted to meet him, hope he pulls through and is found safely
I m not religious, but if there is a god, sort it out.
- Michael, Leicester
Lets hope mark returns home soon fit and well, I know it is a trying time for him but it must be hell for his parents. I have a son who suffers from bipolar, sometimes he disappears for days and I find it very hard to cope without knowing where he is or if he is OK or not. My heart goes out to marks parents at this time.
- Carol Thomas, west mids
I have always admired Mark and his fantastic artistic talent, and that of a presenter. I have really enjoyed watching him on Smart and have used many of the ideas in my teaching. I love his 'bendy thumbs' and hope he comes back safely. Kate
- Kate Byrne, Oxford, Oxon
As much as I despise drugs Mark has an amazing talent as a presenter and I hope he is found safe and well quickly.
I hope one day he will return to SMart
- Joe, Luton
Mark is one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet!
It is bad enough to have to go through the loss of someone you love without the media attention! I just wish people were not too quick to judge him!
He is still in the early stages of his grieving which should warrant at least a modicum of respect.
I pray that he just thought..Sod it, and took of to convalesce and re-centre himself after such tragic events.
My heart goes out to the caring, funny guy I used to know. Please come home safely Mark! x
- Nic, Wolverhampton
My daughters favourite TV Show presenter, I can't imagine what he is going through, Hope he turns up safe and well. x
- Rachel, Lowestoft
Bless him. He and Natasha were lucky to find each other and share that deep a love, not many people do, but this has obviously devastated him. Really hope he turns up safe and well.
- Concerned, Leicester, UK
If there was ever a lesson to be had regarding the effects of 'recreational' drug use, then this is it.
How glamourous and cool do these people now look.
Sad, very sad.
- Andy T, London
I really do feel sorry for him and his family, I really do hope he is found alive and well. What a sad situation.
- Andy, London
I do hope he is found safe and well and given the help he so desperately needs. I also hope we see his artistic talents back on our screens in the future.
- Minime, South East England
I feel really sorry for this situation, both these folks were so upbeat on TV and I think a lot of Kids who watch Smart will be really upset.
I'm praying for Mark's safe return, I guess I can understand him wanting some space, but he sounds in a delicate state of mind, so I'm praying for his safety
- Darrell Imbert, Market Harborough
What a nice couple. We met them both in Oxford Street about 4 weeks before Natasha's death and were great with my family. Just hope Mark turns up safe and well. Our thoughts are with both families and of course Mark.
- The Brewsters, Braintree
This must be so worrying for his and Natasha'a family and friends. I hope he is found safely. God bless.
- Kate, Worthing, England
Sorry to say these are the consequences of drug taking, these people are meant to have young children looking up to them, what the hell are they doing? Mark if you are reading this, get yourself together for Christ-sake and stop wallowing in self pity.
- Me, England
I think it is a shame what has happened and he obviously needs to see a councillor asap.
- Emma, Liverpool
Is the average person really that concerned about his fate? If you play with fire then you will get burnt.
- P.Robinson, Northants
Poor Bloke, Hes been threw a lot....
It's a Great shame and now he's in pain,
and all because of Cocaine.
- Tom, Windsor, England
