Louella Michie: Holby City actor says daughter's death at Bestival was 'accident' and 'not murder'

John Michie says 25-year-old's death was 'tragic mistake' after man arrested on suspicion of murder at Dorset music event

Louella Michie, the daughter of former Coronation Street and Taggart star John Michie, who died at Bestival (PA)

Holby City actor John Michie has said his daughter's death at Bestival was a "tragic accident".

The 60-year-old said his family had "lost an angel" but believed the death of Louella Michie, 25, was "not murder".

A 28-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of murder after the model's body was found in woodland at the festival's site in Dorset on Monday morning.

But sources told The Sun Ms Michie's death could be linked to an unknown substance she had taken which was "too powerful".

Mr Michie said in a statement: "We've lost our angel. It's not murder - they were friends. It was just a tragic mistake, a tragic accident.

"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."

A family source added: "The family don't think Louella was murdered.

"It's more likely that it was an accidental death and the arrested man was only trying to help her.

"But the family still have not spoken to police."

On the festival's first day police warned attendees about a rogue batch of pills containing "unknown chemicals".

Dorset Police's Bestival Twitter account posted an image of a blue pill with a Rolex logo.

"If you have any of these tablets at Bestival please dispose of them as they contain unknown chemicals," the tweet said.

The force said on Tuesday morning it was too early to say if Ms Michie's death was linked to drugs.

John Michie said he did not believe his daughter had been murdered (PA)

Police at the four-day music festival were alerted just before 1am on Monday to concerns for the welfare of Ms Michie, from London.

Following a search, her body was discovered in a wooded area on the edge of the site in Lulworth, Dorset.

Her parents had reportedly rushed to the site after becoming concerned about her safety.

Dorset Police said a 28-year-old man had been arrested "to enable officers to conduct an interview under caution to help establish the full circumstances".

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire 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.

"Inquiries are now under way 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."

In a statement, Bestival said: "Following the announcement, the team at Bestival are devastated to hear about this tragic news.

"We continue to support the police in their ongoing investigation and our thoughts and prayers are with all the woman's family and friends."

Mr Michie, 60, played Karl Munro in Coronation Street from 2011 to 2013, having starred as Detective Inspector Robbie Ross in drama series Taggart from 1998 to 2010.

He currently plays neurosurgeon Guy Self in BBC medical drama Holby City.

He has two other children, Daisy and Sam, with his partner Carol.

Jamie Jamieson, understood to be in a relationship with Daisy, wrote on Facebook: "The Michie family do not believe this was murder in any way, contrary to the suggestions in certain tabloid news outlets.

"John and Carol Michie have asked me to post this."

Last year, organisers announced Bestival would be moved from the Isle of Wight, where it was previously held, to the Dorset site.

The line-up for this year's event, expected to be attended by 30,000 people, included The XX, Dizzee Rascal, Rag 'n Bone Man, Pet Shop Boys, Wiley and Laura Mvula.

On Sunday, festival organisers were forced to close the main arena, the Castle Stage and Ambient Forest due to high winds.​