Martine McCutcheon opens up on 'trust' after shock split from husband Jack McManus

Life after a 12-year marriage would challenge anyone, especially in the glare of the public eye.

However, Martine McCutcheon is determined not to be defeated by it. The 48 year old actress and songstress, famous for her role as Tiffany Mitchell in EastEnders and starring in the beloved Christmas film Love Actually, divulged her separation from her husband Jack McManus in August after nearly two decades together. Although it was Jack's choice to end their union, Martine has expressed her desire to wish him well for his future endeavours.

Sharing on Instagram, she stated: "After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it's best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision.

READ MORE - Naked and Afraid's Sarah Danser, 34, dies after fatal injuries following car crash

READ MORE - Couple who bought Victorian flat make terrifying discovery under the stairs

"We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful, 9 year old son Rafferty, who's happiness and welfare, has always been, and will continue to be, our number 1 priority." Despite the heartache, which comes only two years following their vow renewal, Martine is embracing the opportunity to speak frankly about her difficulties post-separation and is viewing this transition as a chance to live authentically, reports OK!.

"If I could give anybody advice about living life more slowly or more generally, it would be to trust, trust that the world will still turn," she imparted wisdom on A Gentle Start: The Showercast podcast by Timotei. "You will still turn. You will still be successful. You will still be happy. You will still be busy. Whenever you want to be busy, you will still achieve things, but you will do it at your pace, not anybody else's, yours."

Away from the public eye and the glare of celebrity, Martine is a devoted mum to her nine year old son Rafferty, whom she shares with Jack. Openly candid about her fertility struggles amid a battle with ME, Martine had been previously told she may never have children.

Rafferty's arrival, whom she refers to as a "miracle", sparked an unparalleled love for Martine. She now seems to be pouring her soul into motherhood - a journey that has taught her she "was always lovable". "I've had many highs, and I feel blessed to say that, but I would say the highest of all wasn't any award or any top #1 song... people standing on their feet applauding you night after night feels like a drug... but nothing compares to holding my son for the first time," Martine confessed about being a mum on the Timotei podcast.

"I was told that I wouldn't ever be able to have children and I always felt that being a mother would be the making of me... and when I held him there was just no love like it. It made me realise that just by being who I was, I was always enough."

In an open-hearted conversation, Martine also revealed her diagnosis with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) following the tragic loss of her brother LJ, Laurence John, who died at the tender age of 31. In her heartfelt admission, Martine shared that she 'cried' and 'grieved' after the diagnosis, contemplating how different her life could have been without such hardships.

Martine has also been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS], Fibromyalgia, and Lyme Disease, which cause severe pain and fatigue. Just last year, she experienced a flare-up so severe that it required hospital treatment, causing her to miss her husband Jack's birthday celebrations.

But despite her health battles, Martine seems to have emerged stronger - and looking better than ever. Putting on a brave face, she recently posted photos from a much-needed holiday to Marbella with Rafferty, sharing that they were having "such a lovely time" and "making memories to cherish". Another post showed her and Rafferty in the pool, with a sweet caption reading, "I love our little cuddles and games.... Nothing else fuels me like Rafferty does. He's at such a lovely age... He's like my little bestie these days! ".

Speaking about their tight-knit relationship, she once described her son as, "He's cheeky, he's sensitive and he's confident. He's a contradiction – he's very like me actually. On the outside he's very bubbly and confident and goes for it, but he also gets nervous as well. He's complex like his mum."

Follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.

Sign up to the Irish Mirror'sdaily newsletter hereand get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox