Police name mother who is missing with her two sons as former EastEnders actress Sian Blake

A woman who has been missing for more than two weeks has been named as former EastEnders actress Sian Blake. Blake, who played home wrecker Frankie Perrie in the BBC One soap opera in the 1990s, has been missing for more than a fortnight along with her two young sons.

She was last seen on Sunday, 13 December, in Waltham Forest, London, with Zachary, 8, and Amon, 4. The actress hails from Erith in Kent, but Metropolitan Police believe that she is in the London area, although she does have links to Cambridge and Colchester.

Blake has been in contact with relatives through text messages, but has failed to return home and has not been seen since going missing.

According to reports, Blake suffers from motor neurone disease. She is described as being black, 5ft 2in, slim and has short black hair. She wears glasses, but also has a prescription for contact lenses.

A former soul singer, she was introduced to the cast of EastEnders in 1996, as Frankie Pierre. Initially, Blake signed was to appear for six months, but this was extended when her character became popular with audiences. She had originally auditioned for a minor role of a nurse who would have appeared during a storyline that involved a meningitis scare. However, producers of the BBC drama saw her potential and asked her to audition for a more substantial role.

At the time she said: "I went for the audition and dressed quite sexily. I was a bit confused when they told me there was another regular part going for a soul singer and asked me if I could sing."

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers are increasingly concerned for Sian and the children's wellbeing and would urge anyone with information on their whereabouts to call the police."

The Met Police have asked any witnesses or anyone with any information call police on 101 or Missing People on 116000 quoting reference 15MIS050346. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact them via Crimestoppers-uk.org.