Ben Kinsella, who was stabbed to death in London last weekend, was a popular and academically gifted student who was the life and soul of his class, his school friend told Times Online today.

Tributes poured in today for the murdered 16-year-old, the brother of former EastEnders actress Brooke, with hundreds of flowers and cards piled up in a make-shift shrine on York Way, North London, where Ben became the 17th teenager to be murdered in London this year.

Brooke, 24, who played Kelly Taylor in the BBC soap, is said to be “devastated” at his death. It is thought she will pay a personal tribute today. Passers-by were stopping this morning to pay their respects and look at the messages left in his memory.

One of Ben's former school friends, told Times Online that the youngster was a "caring guy" who never caused arguments.

“When Ben wasn’t in class, the class would seem empty and lifeless. He was always full of energy and definitely very comical," he said. “Ben was not the type of guy who would willingly cause arguments; he was a very caring guy.

"I remember once when we was walking home and he told me 'You know both of us are going to get a flash job and get loaded.’ Ben did have high expectations in life and it is just unimaginable that he will no longer be able to fulfill his lifelong wishes.”

He added that the youngster would have achieved an A* in his GCSE English. The pair attended Holloway school, a specialist sports college in Islington, where assemblies for each year group are taking place throughout the morning as pupils came to terms with Ben’s death.

"Ben did have high expectations in life and it is just imaginable that he will no longer be able to fulfill his lifelong wishes. He was academically bright and he would definitely have got an A* in GCSE English this year - definitely, a fact," he said.

"He was also fantastic in art and had a very creative mind. When Ben wasn't present in class, the class would seem empty and lifeless. He was always full of energy and definitely very comical. I just feel disappointed that with someone of high potential to succeed and academically bright, his life has been taken away.

"On 27th June, his last words to me were 'When will we get our ICT results?'"

Brooke is said to be devastated and is expected to take some time off from the play Torn, in which she was due to play a role at East London's Arcola Theatre during the summer. Ben had followed in his sister’s acting footsteps appearing in an episode of ITV police drama The Bill in 2004 playing a character called Tyrone.

Today it emerged that he had made a terrified phone call to a friend as his killers chased him through the streets. A local resident was also heard to cry out: 'I've been stabbed.'

Tributes to him filled his Facebook page today as hundreds of flowers and cards piled up at the site where he was killed. An Arsenal scarf and an England flag were also laid at the scene.

Ben’s page includes a video clip of him in which he describes himself as: “Down to earth, easy going, get on with just about everyone. I’m a nice guy, not flash/backstabber.”

Yesterday, Ben’s parents, Debbie and George Kinsella, his sister Brooke and her boyfriend, Ray Panthaki, also a former actor on EastEnders, were among more than 50 people who paid their respects at the scene in Islington.

Among the tributes was a card which read: “We will always remember you Ben for your loving ways and that great smile. Paul and Louise.”

EastEnders stars Joe Swash, who plays Mickey Miller, and Charlie Hawkins, who plays Darren Miller, his half-brother in the show, also paid their respects but both were too upset to comment publically on his death.

Bob Hamlyn, Ben’s head teacher said: “We are all devastated. Ben had so much going for him, not least a loving and supportive family, some fantastic friends, and a great future ahead of him.”

Two 16-year-olds arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing yesterday have been released on bail to appear at a police station in North London in late August.

Scotland Yard said it is keeping an open mind regarding the motive, and is appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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