EastEnders actress Samantha Janus’s father was heartbroken in the weeks before he took his own life, friends said yesterday.

Noel Janes had spoken publicly about his dismay that the TV star’s family had not been included when photographs of her wedding were published in a magazine in May.

Noel told The Argus seeing his daughter’s wedding photographs in a glossy magazine without any of his family were “like a dagger to the heart”.

The 60-year-old was found hanged at his flat in Burstead Close, Hollingdean, at about 1.30pm on Saturday.

Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place today (Tues).

As news of his death at home in Brighton spread, Noel’s friends paid tributes to him as a motorcycle enthusiast, dog-lover, musician and charity fundraiser.

Mr Janes’s daughter - now known by her married name Womack - was a Eurovision pop starlet before building a career in television.

At 37 she is now a household figure, playing Ronnie Mitchell in BBC EastEnders.

Noel left her mother when she was a small child and they were estranged until 1996.

A statement issued by her husband, Mark Womack, said: “Sam is with her family in Brighton at the moment and has asked to be left alone to grieve with her family for a loved and wonderful father, son and brother.”

Friend Abby Goldin told The Argus the row over the publication of his daughter’s wedding photos broke his heart.

He said: "He was very unhappy about it. I can understand why.

"He was broken-hearted about it.”

Mr Goldin paid tribute to Noel, who he had known since before the birth of his daughters.

He said: "I shall miss him tremendously. He was my best friend. We knew each other for very many years.”

He said he hopes to organise a motorcycle escort when Noel’s funeral takes place.

Noel - whose sister Angie was married to footballer George Best - was a prominent supporter of Brightona, the annual charity motorcycle show in Madeira Drive, Brighton, which Mr Goldin organises.

He recorded a CD with a band called The Brytones which was sold at the event to raise money for the Sussex Heart Charity. It is due to be sold at the next event on October 11.

Terry Ayres, of the Sussex Heart Charity, said: "It will be a great loss and he will be missed at this year’s event.

"Noel was always supportive of both the charity and Brightona, and always had time to help us in anyway he could."

He also used used to run popular biker haunt The Waterfront Cafe in Madeira Drive.

He became a well known sight walking his deaf dalmatian dog, Cathy, at Hollingbury Golf Club and Preston Park.

The dog had been given to him by Samantha, who rescued the animal while on a film shoot.

Roger Baddams, 65, of Golf Drive, Hollingdean, used to walk his own dog with Noel and last saw him about three weeks ago.

He said: "He was a great bloke. We used to have some good laughs.

“The last time I spoke to him he mentioned the magazine.

"His family weren't in the pictures. He really was upset about that.

“He would have liked to have walked her down the aisle.”

Gary Ratcliffe, 49, of Woodingdean, also got to know Noel as a dog-walker.

He said: “I am absolutely gutted. I’ll miss the walks and my opportunities to make him laugh.

“He was a really nice guy, he really was.

“I know he was upset about the wedding. He wasn’t very happy about how he had been treated but I never knew he was that depressed.”

Neighbours Burstead Close said they were shocked by news of Noel’s death after police arrived on Saturday afternoon.

Retired gas fitter Reginald Mepham, 72, said: "He was a nice, quiet fellow.

"It came as a massive shock. We had police around on Saturday but it wasn't until the next day we found out why.

"He was such a lovely man. He would always stop for a chat with me and the other residents."

A spokeswoman for EastEnders said Samantha could be given time off from filming while she copes with her loss.

She said: "We want Sam to take as much time off as she needs and our thoughts are with Sam and her family."

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