Dean Gaffney has spoken of his sadness after a headless torso was discovered during the search for his former EastEnders co-star Gemma McCluskie. Dean, who played Robbie Jackson in the BBC soap from 1993 to 2003, said he was 'utterly devastated'. “I’m speechless and it doesn’t make any sense. Not knowing is the hardest thing - it’s tear-jerking and totally heart-wrenching.” Gemma, 29, went missing on March 1. A body, which hasn't yet been formally identified, was found in the Regents Canal in east London on Tuesday. The actor, 34, told The Mirror he had decided to speak out after former EastEnders’ stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella both appealed on Twitter for help finding the missing actress. Dean described Gemma as 'a lovely girl with a heart of gold'. Gemma’s character Kerry Skinner was briefly engaged to Robbie Jackson and Dean said: “She was an important part of the show and she really shaped my character.” “She was so popular with all the cast and so small in height that you just wanted to cuddle her - and everyone did. There was a definite connection between us.”
