Missing presenter Speight was 'planning memorial concert'
Friday, 11 Apr 2008 18:02
Mark Speight was planning charity concert in memory of late fiancee
Missing BBC presenter Mark Speight was planning a charity concert in memory of his fiancee who died in January, his best friend has claimed.
According to Stu Goldsmith, a friend of Speight's since childhood, the SMart presenter had been looking to hold a concert in order to raise money for a charity favoured by his late fiancee Natasha Collins.
Ms Collins' body was discovered at the north London flat she shared with Speight in early January, with a coroner's report ruling that she died in the bath after taking cocaine and sleeping pills.
Speight was reported missing on Monday after failing to meet Ms Collins' mother in London's Covent Garden and police have since issued CCTV stills of him entering a train station on that afternoon.
Mr Goldsmith, who has known Speight since they were at school together in Wolverhampton, said he had spoken with the TV presenter about plans for a concert in Ms Collins' memory.
"Mark had been talking to Natasha's mum about a big show to raise money for one of her favourite charities," he explained.
"I just hope the thought of organising it in Natasha's memory will make him snap back to reality and come back."
Speight was last seen boarding a southbound Bakerloo line train on the London underground heading for Paddington at 14:47 BST on Monday, having withdrawn money from a cash machine close to the station at 14:18 BST.
He was reported missing by friends after failing to meet a family member in Covent Garden at 15:30 BST.
Speight was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and supplying cocaine after his fiancee's body was found. He was bailed until the beginning of February, though no charges were ever brought.
Ms Collins, who met Speight while filming the BBC children's show See It Saw It, was found with hot water burns on her body, face and tongue.
Mr Goldsmith added: "They were the perfect couple and he adored her.
"Mark has a sensitive side and what he has gone through is enough to push anyone over the top.
"He has not been in touch with anyone since he disappeared and it is like he has vanished off the face of the Earth."