Martine McCutcheon has revealed 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.
She shared the shock announcement while on a ‘much needed’ holiday in Marbella with their son and insisted that she and Rafferty will always ‘root for’ Jack going forward.
Fans were left in disbelief by the news as it came just three weeks after she shared a gushing birthday post to Jack on August 4 and revealed he was grieving the death of his father.
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.’
Martine McCutcheon revealed her husband of 18 years Jack McManus has left her just three weeks after she shared a gushing tribute to the musician (pictured)
She shared the news in an Instagram post on Thursday, while on a ‘much needed’ holiday in Marbella with her son
She shared the shock announcement while on a ‘much needed’ holiday in Marbella with their son and insisted that she and Rafferty will always ‘root for’ Jack going forward
She continued: ‘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.
‘We both of course, still cherish and look forward to being parents together to our wonderful boy for the rest of our lives…
‘Whilst 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.
‘Many thanks in advance for your respect and support, at this difficult time…
‘And I continue to send Jack, all the love, luck and happiness for the next chapter of his. Rafferty and I (as always,) are rooting for you!
‘Thank you all, for the love and support, now and always…Martine.xx.’
Martine is currently on holiday in Marbella with Rafferty and has been sharing a slew of swimsuit and sweet mother/son snaps.
Before making her shock announcement she shared a selfie in the pool with Rafferty and penned: ‘Marbella has woven its magic once again. Much needed! #grateful.’
She also shared a swimsuit snap and revealed she ‘felt so lucky’ to be abroad.
She shared the shock announcement while on a ‘much needed’ holiday in Marbella with their son and insisted that she and Rafferty will always ‘root for’ Jack going forward
Moments before she broke the news of her split, she shared a poignant post about heartbreak
Martine and Jack married in 2012 in Italy’s picturesque Lake Como (pictured) five years after they started dating and six years after their first meeting in December 2006
Moments before she broke the news of her split, she shared a poignant post about heartbreak.
It read: ‘I hope you know that your heart is enough. You’re smart enough and funny and interesting enough.
‘Your smile is enough, your light is enough and the parts of that struggle with it and try to hide, they’re enough too.
‘And if you just want to sit for hours and not say a single word, your presence is enough. You don’t have to talk to fill the noise, you don’t have to stay anything at all.
‘Just stay true to yourself, offer who you are – not who you think the world wants you to be.
‘Because I promise you’re heart is enough You’re enough. You have nothing to prove.’
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.’
‘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!’
Martine shared a birthday post this month in which she revealed her ‘darling Jack had lost her Darling Dad’ (Jack’s father pictured)
Martine acknowledged the loss of brother LJ (pictured) at the age of 31 in 2022, sharing: ‘I understand your grief and pain ‘
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
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 ‘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.’
In December 2016, during an appearance on Loose Women, Martine admitted her friends had helped ‘save’ her marriage to Jack.
She said: ‘I think actually my friends have saved my relationship a couple of times! There have been times without a doubt – I’ve been with Jack ten years now and of course we’ve had or ups and downs – a tough eight years out of ten bless him.
‘But through the trials and tribulations, I think my friends – when I feel I can’t get through to him – have made me see sense.
‘They’ve been like “calm down, you really love him, you two are meant to be together, stick at it”. Nowadays more than ever people just chuck in the towel – everything’s so disposable now.’
