Image copyright Met Police and BBC Image caption Zachery, Sian (pictured here as Frankie in EastEnders) and Amon were found at their London home

The partner of former EastEnders actress Sian Blake has admitted killing her and their two children.

Arthur Simpson-Kent's lawyer told the Old Bailey the jury would be told this at his trial in October. He is yet to enter a formal plea.

Ms Blake, 43, Zachary, eight, and Amon, four, were found at the family home in Erith, London, in January after being reported missing on 16 December.

He was arrested at Heathrow Airport after being extradited from Ghana.

The 48-year-old hairdresser is expected to enter pleas on 29 July.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mr Simpson-Kent will enter a plea in July

Ms Blake played Frankie Pierre in 56 episodes of EastEnders between 1996 and 1997.

As well as EastEnders, Ms Blake also appeared in the 1998 film Siberia and TV movie May 33rd in 2004 under her stage name Syan Blake, according to her IMDB profile.

She had motor neurone disease before she died.

The Met has referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over how the investigation was handled.

It is also conducting a serious case review, which is standard in all major cases, to look at what lessons can be learned from the investigation.