Martine McCutcheon is ‘healing’ after husband ended 18-year relationship

Martine McCutcheon has returned to social media with a candid message following her shock split from husband Jack McManus.

The former EastEnders icon, 48, rattled fans in August last year when she announced Jack’s decision to end their marriage after 18 years together.

In the statement, the Love, Actually actress said their 10-year-old son Rafferty was their ‘number one priority’ and that she accepts her husband’s decision.

In recent months she’s been absent from social media, but has now returned with some candid words for her followers.

‘Hello everybody. It has been a long time since I’ve been on here but I wanted to say that your messages of love and support last year were just so amazing for me I can’t tell you. So thank you so much,’ she began, talking to the camera.

‘Basically I’ve just been finding my feet, healing, focusing on the next chapter which I’m very excited about.

‘Also I took a break from here as well, because you know what it’s like. I’m really proud of me and Jack because we have managed to put Rafferty first no matter what.

‘Also we want to live our lives being friends after being together for 18 years.

‘So any posts I put up or anything I share, it’s not a slight on him. I wouldn’t do that. It’s not my style. If I want to say something I’ll say it. I was wary of that as well. But I’m all good, and I’m back.’

Singer Jack married Martine in 2012 in a low-key ceremony at Lake Como, four years after they began dating.

The news of the split came just days after Martine shared a loving birthday tribute to Jack on social media in the aftermath of his father’s death calling him, ‘Darling Jack’.

Martine’s statement confirming her split from Jack read: ‘After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it’s best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision.

‘We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful, 9 years old son Rafferty, who’s happiness and welfare has always been, and will continue to be, our number 1 priority.’

She continued: ‘While this decision has evolved over a period of time, we are still finding our new way forward as a family and kindly ask for some privacy at this time. Especially for our little boy.

‘Our love for Rafferty, is something that will never waver, or change and we obviously want to protect him and help him feel as safe and secure as possible.