A HAIRDRESSER has admitted killing his actress wife and their two young children.

Arthur Simpson-Kent, 48, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday via video link from HMP Belmarsh.

Eastenders actress Sian Blake, 43, and their sons Zachary Blake-Kent, eight, and four-year-old Amon Blake-Kent went missing on December 13.

Their bodies were found buried in the garden of their home in Erith, south east London on January 5.

No pleas were entered to three murder charges at court with proceedings delayed while expert evidence is sought.

The case, which has links to Colchester, is expected to go to trial in October.

Simpson-Kent killed his partner and children but is expected to deny murdering them at a later hearing.

Jim Sturman QC, defending, said: "He admits the killings. There is no objection to that being reported. Any jury will be told that."

Simpson-Kent was remanded into custody after appearing, via video link, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February.

He remains in custody.

Ms Blake played Frankie Pierre in 56 episodes of EastEnders between 1996 and 1997. She was suffering from motor neurone disease before she died.