Actress and singer Martine McCutcheon is boldly stepping into a new chapter of her life as she approaches her 50th birthday, declaring she is unapologetic for her own voice and opinions. The star, famed for roles in Love Actually and EastEnders, is looking forward with optimism despite a challenging period marked by personal loss and family estrangement.
A Year of Profound Change and Looking Forward
Martine confirmed her separation from musician husband Jack McManus last year, after 12 years of marriage. This personal upheaval followed the tragic death of her brother, LJ, in 2022, when he was just 31 years old. The star also remains estranged from her mother, Jenny. Yet, with Christmas on the horizon and a new year approaching, McCutcheon is choosing to focus on the future and the positives in her life, including her ten-year-old son, Rafferty.
"You can think about the things you didn't do or haven't done yet and let that frighten you. But I'm just thrilled that I'm fit, well, happy and I have my little boy," she revealed in an interview. She credits inspirational figures like Oprah Winfrey, Kim Cattrall, and Brené Brown for helping reshape her perspective on ageing, self-assurance, and setting boundaries.
Finding Liberation and Fun at Fifty
Martine believes that without the pioneering women who came before her, she would have dreaded her milestone birthday in May next year. Instead, she feels a sense of excitement and liberation. "It's such an exciting and liberating time, more than ever for a 50-year-old woman, to be working, living, socialising, loving and all of these things," she explained.
She is now determined to make her sixth decade about enjoyment. A recent conversation made her realise she has no dedicated hobbies, having spent her life on work, motherhood, and caring for others. "I just want to have fun. I want to find out, away from career and family, what just brings me fun," Martine said. This new focus includes a desire to explore her spirituality and learn more about the power of crystals, an interest sparked by a lifelong sensitivity to energy blockages in others.
Motherhood, Magic, and Lasting Legacy
The most transformative experience of her life remains becoming a mother to Rafferty. His birth brought her a profound sense of peace and self-acceptance after years of industry-driven self-doubt. "When I held him in my arms the first time I looked at him, I finally got it... It gave me a lot of peace and a lot of completeness," she shared.
This Christmas, she is eagerly anticipating sharing the magic of the season with her son and loved ones. Her role in the festive classic Love Actually, which was released 22 years ago, continues to be a gift that keeps on giving, making her a holiday staple for millions. Reflecting on her early fame, she fondly remembers her "rock'n'roll" days on EastEnders in the 1990s, when her character Tiffany Raymond's dramatic death drew 12 million viewers.
While her character met a tragic end, Martine hasn't ruled out a return to Albert Square. "If there was a flashback or a memory... and there was a way to know more and understand Tiffany more now, then I would be definitely, always be up for it," she confirmed. As she approaches fifty, Martine McCutcheon's story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and embracing life unapologetically.
