An Earlsfield actor killed himself by filling a rucksack with weights and jumping into the Thames after struggling to find work, an inquest heard today.

Matthew Box, a 37-year-old Merton Rugby Club member, was the subject of police appeals on TV and in newspapers after he vanished on January 24 this year.

His body was pulled out of the river on February 21 and was so badly decomposed it had to be identified by dental records.

Westminster Coroner Dr Paul Knapman recorded a verdict of suicide, saying money worries, a recent break-up with a girlfriend and disappointment over his stalling acting career had made Mr Box end his life.

The actor had managed to get "a few minor roles" but was forced to work part-time as a construction site labourer to make ends meet while staying with friends.

Martin Greenbank, who reported Mr Box missing, told the court he met him through the rugby club, in Faversham Road, Morden, and later let him stay at his Earlsfield Road flat.

Another rugby club friend, firefighter Ricky Nelson, said Mr Box was still upset his girlfriend Laura Lee had left him.

He said: "Matt had been talking about the break-up over the previous three weeks. Matt was upset and couldn't understand why she had split up with him.

"He spoke about his financial worries and the fact only three per cent of actors are in work at any one time.

"I asked Matt if he was taking someone to the upcoming dinner-dance and he gave me a throwaway remark: If I'm still here'. That was the last time I saw Matt."

PC Debbie Mallon told the court the body was spotted in the river at Wandsworth but had floated all the way down to Wapping pier in east London by the time police could retrieve it.

Police found Mr Box's travel card but could only be certain of his identity after checking his dental records.

He had loaded the rucksack with a set of red dumb-bells and lashed it to his body with a length of blue rope to prevent it from slipping off.

There were no signs of foul play or any other suspicious circumstances, said the coroner.

Dr Knapman gave the sympathy of the court to Mr Box's family and added: "He had had a number of disappointments in his life. He decided he had had enough and to end his life."