Wolverhampton-born children's television presenter Mark Speight committed suicide by hanging himself, a coroner has ruled.
The 42-year-old star was found hanging by his shoelaces at Paddington railway station, in west London, last month. Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said Speight was "devastated" by the death of his 31-year-old fiancee Natasha Collins in January.
Westminster Coroner's Court was told he tried to visit a counsellor on the day of his disappearance but she was not home due to a mix-up over dates.
The BBC SMart art show presenter made his way to the station and hanged himself from a railing on the roof of an office building, the inquest heard.
A suicide note to his family was found in his pocket and further evidence he intended to take his life was later found in his journal.
Speaking after the hearing, Speight's father Oliver announced that a charitable foundation for young artists would be set up in his name.
He said the family were pleased a pathologist found no drugs or alcohol in Speight's blood.
Mr Speight, of Sutton Coldfield, said: "I think from the family's perspective I want you to realise how proud we are of Mark - his dignity and his honour are in place."
He added: "In the eyes of children's TV he was an icon and we are extremely proud of that and we will not let him down. Look to the future, not the past and let us remember this is not the end of Mark Speight it is the end of his beginning."
Speight was reported missing by Ms Collin's mother Carmen on April 7 after he failed to meet her for coffee in the West End.
The bereaved artist moved in with her because he could not face the St John's Wood penthouse flat where Ms Collins died on January 3, the inquest heard. Her inquest previously recorded a verdict of death by misadventure after hearing she suffered serious burns in the bath after taking cocaine and sleeping tablets.
A search for Speight was launched by the Metropolitan Police who issued a CCTV image of him captured at Queen's Park Tube station on April 7.
Two patrolling police officers spoke to Speight in Chamberlayne Road, north-west London, for about five minutes shortly after 1pm that day.
One officer said he appeared vacant, pausing at length to answer questions, but turned down offers of help and did not seem to be a risk to himself or others.
In a statement read to the court, PC Andrew Durrant said: "I would describe Mark Speight's mental disposition as being lost or vacant. He appeared to be someone with a lot on his mind and deep in thought."
It emerged that searching officers believed Speight travelled to the West Country and checks were made of CCTV images at Paddington railway station. However his body was discovered six days later by an officer at the station giving a tour to two trainee security guards.
It was suspended from a railing near a metal walkway surrounded by heavy machinery and air-conditioning units at MacMillan House. The inquest heard he probably accessed the little-used restricted area via a fire exit from the neighbouring Hilton hotel.
CCTV footage from the hotel showed Speight arriving and taking a lift to the sixth floor at about 3pm that day. Detective Inspector Will Jordan, who led the British Transport Police investigation, said there were no suspicious circumstances.
The inquest was told Speight first attempted to hang himself with his belt, but this snapped, leaving bruising to his neck.
Pathologist Dr Peter Wilkins said a post-mortem examination found no evidence of drugs or alcohol in Speight's blood. He said it was "entirely possible" that Speight had lain undiscovered for six days after hanging himself.
Dr Knapman said: "It does seem to me that he has decided upon a course of action to kill himself. What a tragedy. Clearly he was so devastated by the loss of Natasha Collins that at this time he could not contemplate life without her.
"I am sure the sympathy of the court goes out to the family, friends and people who have been associated with the life of Mark Speight who died at only the age of 42 years."
