S Poddar
Just days before her marriage reportedly came to an end, Martine McCutcheon shared a heartfelt message to her husband, Jack McManus, on social media. In the post, she penned a touching tribute to Jack’s birthday while reflecting on the family difficulties at that time.
Martine, known best to audiences as Tiffany Mitchell in EastEnders, posted a message on Instagram earlier today. She addressed Jack’s decision to end their marriage after 18 years together and said she had accepted what was happening, thanking her followers for their support.
“After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it’s best for us to separate after 18 years together, and I accept his decision,” she wrote in her Instagram stories. “We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful, 9-year-old son Rafferty, whose happiness and welfare have always been, and will continue to be, our number one priority.”
Martine and Jack, who share their son Rafferty, born in 2015, stressed that although the decision may have been tough on them both, they will continue their love of being parents and make a concerted effort for the welfare of their son. “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,” she continued in her statement.
This end of their marriage came as a shock to everyone, more so considering the loving post Martine did just a few days before the breakup announcement. The homage paid to Jack on his birthday also fell at the time that his father passed away, which included feelings associated with that situation. At no time did Martine hold back to show empathy and understanding about the loss Jack was going through.
“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, but you know when I lost my brother that I understand your grief and pain,” she penned.
She also told him that Jack, in time, would come to value the presence his father had been and find comfort in memories of times spent together. “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… You will appreciate the gift of life and those you love even more!” she said.
News of their split will come as a particular blow to fans who remember Martine rising to fame as Tiffany Mitchell in BBC soap opera EastEnders. Martine played the much-loved character from 1995 until 1998 when Tiffany was killed off—tragically run over by Frank Butcher. Also in this period, a favorite of the audience, especially behind the bar at the Queen Vic, during her marriage to Grant Mitchell, and through the birth of Courtney was Tiffany.
While Martine navigates this new, very challenging time in her life, her following and fans do not disappoint in showing her both support and admiration. She has shared so much of her personal struggle with openness and vulnerability that it is very easy to see, despite the struggles she is facing, how her main focus is to provide love and stability for her son.
Finally, Martine concluded with good wishes to Jack in a new phase of his life. “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 new chapter of his life. Rafferty and I (as always) are rooting for you! Thank you all for the love and support, now and always,” she concluded.
This brings in the emotional journey that Martine and Jack have gone through over all those years and in this recent period of change. It just goes to prove how a relationship can be immensely complex yet demands strength to keep moving gracefully with dignity. What stays at the very core of their relationship, as they begin walking two different paths, is their commitment to co-parenting and the love shared between the parents and their son.
