COMEDIAN Timmy Mallett has told of his shock and sadness after hearing close friend, children's television presenter Mark Speight, has been found dead.

His body was found at a building near a London railway station yesterday.

Timmy, from Cookham, worked with Mr Speight, 42, on his CITV show Timmy Towers.

Mr Mallett said: "Mark was a delight to work with and a joy to watch. He was a dear friend to myself and my family.

"It was a privilege to have known him and we enjoyed his company on the TV, on stage and in person as a friend. We adored Mark - he was funny, engaging, with a big smile and a modesty that was wonderfully appealing."

Mr Speight, who went missing six days earlier, was distraught after the recent death of his fiancée, Natasha Collins, 31.

He was best known for presenting Smart, the popular CBBC art show. On the back of the success of his television work, Mr Speight took part in a number of public displays including creating a gigantic version of Constable's painting The Haywain with Rolf Harris in Trafalgar Square.

Wackaday creator Timmy said: "Mark played the brilliant Abominable No Man in our series of Timmy Towers shows for CITV. He brought the show to life with his great sense of fun and everyone who worked with him or watched him will miss him dreadfully.

"Mark was not always aware of all his talents. He worried about singing - but his outstanding rendition of Robbie Williams' Let me Entertain you will stand as a testament to that huge talent.

"Mark always entertained us and we are deeply saddened by this tragedy."