Martine McCutcheon revealed on Thursday the shock news that her husband Jack McManus has left her after 18 years together.
The couple married in 2012 in Italy‘s picturesque Lake Como, five years after they started dating, and went on welcome son Rafferty, nine.
The EastEnders icon penned: ‘After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it’s best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision.’
Jack is a singer, songwriter and producer and Martine just two weeks ago shared that he had tragically lost his dad recently.
And Martine has had her fair share of grief too after losing her brother LJ at the age of 31 in 2022.
So here MailOnline takes a look at their life together as they announce their split:
Martine McCutcheon revealed on Thursday the shock news that her husband Jack McManus has left her after 18 years together
The EastEnders icon penned: ‘After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it’s best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision’
Jack’s musical life
Jack is a successful singer, songwriter and producer and was educated at the famous BRIT school.
He works with the likes of The Chainsmokers, The Wanted, Afrojack, The Shires, Nico & Vinz and Thomas Jack.
He has toured with huge acts like John Mayer, Scouting for Girls, Amy MacDonald, and Sam Sparro.
He also co-wrote a song on Boyzone’s 2010 no.1 comeback album, Separate Cars.
Jack’s first album Either Side of Midnight went to no. 22 on the UK albums chart while the lead single Bang on the Piano reached no. 45, just outside of the Top 40.
Born in West Wickham, London he is also known for his work on Cake The Musical.
Combining a multi-genre pop score with 18th century France, Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist, retells a story that sparked a revolution.
Jack is a successful singer, songwriter and producer and was educated at the famous BRIT school
Jack’s father’s tragic death
Martine and Jack’s shock split comes just weeks after she paid a birthday tribute to Jack and revealed he was grieving the death of his father.
Sharing photos of Jack with their son Martine gushed that she hoped in time her husband could see how loved he is and what a role model he is to his own son.
‘Darling Jack, Happy 40th Birthday Darling. I know it’s a weird one and bittersweet as you have lost your Darling Dad, Mick and he was your best friend… It’s so hard to see you miss someone so much,’ Martine wrote.
Acknowledging the loss of brother LJ at the age of 31 in 2022, Martine continued: ‘You know when I lost my brother that I understand your grief and pain – And I also know that in time, You will value the gift of even having him be such a major role in your life and that he will be with you always. Nothing will ever take that away…’
‘It’s been a tough time for a long time but Mick has passed on to you, the resilience, strength and grace that you will need to not just survive but thrive in your life.
‘I have no doubt you will show him that you took it all on board.’
Martine and Jack’s shock split comes just weeks after she paid a birthday tribute to Jack and revealed he was grieving the death of his father (Jack’s father pictured)
Sharing photos of Jack with their son Rafferty, eight, Martine gushed that she hoped in time that her husband could see how loved he is
‘I think you show your children how to ‘Do life’ not so much by what you say but by what you actually do and act through the good, bad and all that’s in between and I know that Rafferty is source of strength and comfort to you and is so excited to have you be his guide and make magical memories together!’
She told her husband it is ‘one step at a time darling. You know I love you unconditionally and I just wish I could make it all better!’
Reflecting on Jack’s career as a singer/songwriter she ended the post by gushing: ‘You are only just 40 and have already achieved so many dreams! Most of all YOU now have the love to pass on to your greatest achievement and gift in life , our boy.’
‘I hope you feel the love around you today and know, that despite it all, you have the most amazing and rewarding next chapter coming your way! Now, deep breath, let’s have some fun with our boy!’
Martine and Jack renewed their vows in 2022 and two months later admitted they ‘don’t have the perfect relationship by any means’ but that she does ‘confide’ in him when ‘life gets tricky’.
She told The Sun of her relationship: ‘Both Jack and I have always been honest we don’t have the perfect relationship by any means.
‘We’ve had our ups and downs, like everybody. We’ve had our challenges, but I think ultimately we’re each other’s best friend.
‘When life gets tricky and isn’t always as fabulous it’s good you can have somebody you can talk too and confide in and be all of yourself with, and you know that’s a safe space and they’ve got your back.’
Martine’s grief over her brother
The actress lost her brother LJ, who had a mild form of special needs, at the age of 31 in 2022.
In October of that year, she told her fans to ‘hold each other extra tight’ in a reflective post.
‘A Blue sky and sunshine Saturday. Have a wonderful weekend all. Hold each other extra tight and make memories,’ she wrote at the time.
She said the website designer had been due to get married to his fiancée Jay Eaton, 49, in a month’s time and Martine, who was going to be bridesmaid, had seen her brother just a few days before he had died.
Sharing a couple of photos of LJ before, Martine wrote: ‘My heart is forever broken, My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, 2 weeks ago. He was 31 years old.
The actress lost her brother LJ, who had a mild form of special needs, at the age of 31 in 2022
‘There is no medical explanation as to why we lost him so soon and whilst we investigate further, we are having to accept that nothing will bring our boy back to us.
‘L.J (Laurence John) was born when I was 15 years old and from the moment I first held him in my arms, I felt so proud and fiercely protective of him. He was such a character!
‘He made us all laugh and loved nothing more than making a plan, having a great play list, bringing people together and generally having a giggle.’
After the grieving star thanked her followers for their outpouring of love and said her beloved brother would want her to ‘carry on’.
And in a candid video she spoke directly to the camera as she opened up about her devastating loss.
She said: ‘Hi everyone, I hope you’re well, It’s my first time on Instagram since I shared my post about losing my brother a couple of weeks ago’.
‘Firstly, thank you so much for the outpouring of love, it means so much to my family.’
‘Today was my first day going back to work, I didn’t know if I could do it or not – I was nervous, a bit of filming and a meeting and I’m so glad I did it.
Martine soared to fame playing Tiffany in EastEnders (pictured with Ross Kemp as Grant)
In 2002, she captured hearts when she played the unassuming love interest of Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister in Love Actually
She continued: ‘I know my brother would want me to keep on keeping on and he was so proud of me and the fact that I liked to inspire people and make them feel good and give them a little bit of magic where I could’.
‘I felt him with me, and I did it, first day back. I did it.’
Alongside the emotional clip she penned: ‘Thank you for your support. Getting back to it bit by bit. I know LJ would want me to carry on’.
‘He was proud of me and understood why I do what I do. Grief is a strange old thing and there is no one way to navigate it but it felt good to do some work. I was nervous but I did it.’