Woman who died at Bestival is daughter of Edinburgh actor

THE daughter of a Scottish actor who starred in Coronation Street and Taggart has died at Bestival, his agent has confirmed.

The actor, whose first job was as a stage hand at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, has asked for his family's privacy to be respected. Picture: PA

A 28-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of Louella Michie, 25, at the Dorset music festival in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement, an agent for Mr Michie, who grew up in Edinburgh and became interested in acting after taking a job at the city’s Traverse Theatre, said: “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.”

The body of Louella Michie, 25, from London, was discovered in a wooded area at the Dorset festival site. Picture: contributed

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.

The body of Louella Michie, 25, from London, was discovered in a wooded area at the Dorset festival site. Picture: contributed

“We are working closely with the festival organisers and I would appeal to anyone with any information about the incident to contact Dorset Police.”

Michie, 66, played Karl Munro in Coronation Street from 2011 to 2013, having previously 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.

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

Camp Bestival, which is aimed at families with children and takes place in July, is also held at the wooded country estate.

The line-up for Bestival this year 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.

Bestival was first held in 2004 with acts including Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim.

The 2017 event, which featured a giant Kanye West head and a bouncy castle large enough for 100 people, was expected to attract around 30,000 festival-goers.

Organisers are due to hold the first Bestival Bali in Indonesia at the end of September.