Former Coronation Street and Taggart star John Michie has described his daughter Louella Michie as “our angel” as she was named as the 25-year-old woman who died at Bestival.
A 28-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of murder, to enable officers to conduct an interview under caution to help establish the full circumstances of the “tragic death” in the Dorset countryside.
But the actor told The Sun he believed the incident was “a tragic accident”.
He said: “We’ve lost our angel. It’s not murder - they were friends. It was just a tragic mistake, a tragic accident. This was not a murder.
“She touched so many lives. She was so very positive, so bright, so out there. She had such energy. The tributes to her have been incredible.”
The newspaper also revealed John and wife Carol received a phone call and a WhatsApp message at around 1am on Monday, prompting the couple to race to the Dorset festival from their North London home.
John Michie’s agent said in a statement: “Sadly, I can confirm the tragic death of John Michie’s daughter, Louella, at Bestival.
“John and his wife Carol ask that the privacy of their family be respected at this traumatic time.”
Five days before the festival, the actor shared an image of his daughter sewing her Bestival outfit on Instagram.
“Sewing for Bestival,” wrote next to the black and white image.
Officers at the music event were alerted just before 1am on Monday 11 September to reports of concern for the welfare of a 25-year-old woman from London who had attended the festival at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
Her body was found in a wooded area on the edge of the site. Her family have been informed and the coroner has been notified.
An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding her death and a cordon is in place on site while forensic examinations are being carried out.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of Dorset Police, said: “Following the discovery of the woman’s body we have now launched an investigation into her death.
“We have specially-trained officers supporting her family at this very difficult time.” Enquiries are now underway to establish how she died.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and this should give us more of an indication as to the cause of her death.
“We are working closely with the festival organisers and I would appeal to anyone with any information about the incident to contact Dorset Police.”
John Michie, 66, played Karl Munro in Coronation Street from 2011 to 2013, and starred as Detective Inspector Robbie Ross in Taggart from 1998 to 2010.
Currently he plays the role of neurosurgeon Guy Self in Holby City.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 11:36. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.