FRIENDS of 'entertaining and eccentric' TV soap actor Trevor Smith, whose body was discovered in a Derbyshire quarry, said the news had come as a massive shock.
Mr Smith, 42, who was also known as Trevor Hancock, was reported missing from his home in Wirksworth at 9.49pm on Monday night.
A spokesman for Derbyshire police last night confirmed that the body found in Middle Peak Quarry just outside Wirksworth on Tuesday, was Mr Smith's.
Friend Paddy Fitton-Jones, of Cromford Road, Wirksworth, works at the Piccalilli cafe in the town, where Mr Smith, who had appeared in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, visited.
Paddy said: "He was a very funny guy and really entertaining. He was very popular around Wirksworth because of how talented he was.
"When I heard the news about him going missing I thought it was a little bit scary because I thought it didn't look good. He didn't chase fame, I think he just wanted to be happy."
Paddy said Mr Smith had recently directed a play, The Elephant Man, in Liverpool and was still acting.
The cafe owner Magnus Moorhouse described Mr Smith as "an eccentric".
He said: "I think he was happy but frustrated. He had an agent but he didn't quite break through as an actor. He said he was a perfectionist.
It makes me think he was chasing something. He will be really missed. I got the feeling there was a sadness there."
Derby actress Gwen Taylor has sent her sincere condolences to the family.
Gwen, who has also appeared in Coronation Street but did not work with Mr Smith, said: "This is so sad and very tragic. I hope he was not in any pain. My heart bleeds for him. It's very concerning when you hear of these things in our profession.
"Being in Coronation Street does give you a certain amount of kudos. When a fellow Derbyshire actor dies it's very sad.
"I have family from that area of Derbyshire and they are the salt of the earth people."
Joshua Vallance, of Pittywood Road, Wirksworth, had spent months working near Mr Smith's home and he had got to know him.
He said: "This is a massive shock. He was a real character and very passionate person.
"He was always friendly and we had a good laugh with him when we were working. We had some good banter."
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