Man dies in actor Art Malik's pool

A party at actor Art Malik's house ended in tragedy when the boyfriend of his daughter, who was celebrating her 21st birthday, drowned in the swimming pool.

Daniel Williams, 23, who had just qualified as a fireman, was found unconscious in the pool at Malik's Surbiton home on Friday morning, police said.

Malik, looking deeply shocked as he spoke to reporters, said: "Dan was a very special person and we very much considered him part of the family. He had been Jessica's boyfriend for seven months and they were very happy together.

"Yesterday he gave her a beautiful bracelet to mark her birthday -- a gift she will now always cherish. She is clearly upset and distressed by what has happened."

A police spokesman said Williams' death was not being treated as suspicious.

Malik, 49, is famed for his roles in "Passage to India" and "Jewel in the Crown". He has two daughters.