Martine McCutcheon has revealed that her husband Jack McManus has left her after 18 years together.
The couple got married in 2012 on picturesque Lake Como in Italy, five years after they began dating and welcomed nine-year-old son Rafferty.
She shared the shock announcement while on a “much-needed” holiday in Marbella with her son and insisted she and Rafferty will always “support” Jack in the future.
Fans were left in disbelief at the news as it came just three weeks after she shared an emotional birthday post for Jack on August 4 and revealed she was mourning the death of her father.
The EastEnders icon wrote: ‘After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided that it is best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision.’
Martine McCutcheon has revealed that her husband of 18 years, Jack McManus, has left her just three weeks after she shared a gushing tribute to the musician (pictured)
The couple tied the knot in 2012 on Italy’s picturesque Lake Como, five years after they began dating, and welcomed nine-year-old son Rafferty.
She shared the news in an Instagram post on Thursday, while on a “much-needed” vacation in Marbella with her son.
She continued: ‘We both feel so blessed and grateful for our beautiful 9-year-old son Rafferty, whose happiness and well-being has always been and will continue to be our number one priority.
‘Of course, we both appreciate and look forward to co-parenting our wonderful child together for the rest of our lives…
‘While this decision has evolved over time, we are still finding our new path forward as a family and kindly request some privacy at this time… Especially for our little one.
‘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.
‘Thank you very much in advance for your respect and support in this difficult time…
“And I continue to send Jack all the love, luck and happiness for the next chapter of his life. 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 wealth of swimsuit photos.
She shared the shock announcement while on a “much-needed” holiday in Marbella with her son and insisted she and Rafferty will always “support” Jack in the future.
The couple share nine-year-old son Rafferty, and Martine revealed that his happiness and wellbeing will remain her priority going forward.
Martine shared a birthday post this month, writing: “Dear Jack, Happy 40th Birthday darling. I know it’s a strange and bittersweet date as you have lost your beloved Dad.”
Sharing photos of Jack with their eight-year-old son Rafferty, Martine said she hoped in time her husband would be able to see how much he is loved.
Moments before announcing the news of their separation, she shared a touching post about heartbreak.
She said, “I hope you know that your heart is enough. You are smart enough, funny enough, and interesting enough.”
‘Your smile is enough, your light is enough, and the parts that fight against it and try to hide are enough too.
And if you want to sit for hours and not say a word, your presence is enough. You don’t have to talk to drown out the noise, you don’t have to say anything at all.
Stay true to yourself, offer who you are, not what you think the world wants you to be. Because I promise you, your heart is enough. You are enough. You have nothing to prove.
Martine and Jack’s shock split comes just weeks after she paid tribute to Jack on his birthday and revealed she was mourning the death of his father.
Sharing photos of Jack with their son, Martine expressed that she hoped that in time her husband would be able to see how loved he is and what a role model he is to his own son.
“Dear Jack, Happy 40th Birthday darling. I know this is a strange and bittersweet situation as you have lost your beloved father Mick who was your best friend… It’s so hard to see you missing someone so much,” Martine wrote.
Acknowledging the loss of her brother LJ at the age of 31 in 2022, Martine continued: ‘You know that when I lost my brother I understood your pain and your grief. And I also know that with time, you will value the gift of having him as such an important role in your life and that he will be with you always. Nothing will ever take him away from you…
“It’s been a difficult time for a long time, but Mick has given you the resilience, strength and grace that you will need to not only survive, but thrive in life. I have no doubt that you will show him that you have taken it all on.”
‘I think you show your children how to “live life” not so much by what you say but by what you actually do and act through the good, the bad and everything in between and I know Rafferty is a source of strength and comfort to you and he is so excited for you to be his guide and create magical memories together.’
She told her husband that everything is going “step by step, honey. You know I love you unconditionally and I just wish I could make it better.”
Reflecting on Jack’s career as a singer and songwriter, she ended the post by gushing, “You’re only 40 and you’ve already achieved so many dreams. But most importantly, now YOU have the love to pass on to your greatest accomplishment and gift in life, our baby boy.”
“I hope you feel the love surrounding you today and know that no matter what, the most wonderful and rewarding next chapter awaits you! Now, take a deep breath, let’s have some fun with our boy!”
The star told her husband: ‘I know Rafferty is a source of strength and comfort to you and he is so excited for you to be his guide and create magical memories together!’
Acknowledging the loss of her brother LJ at the age of 31 in 2022, Martine continued: ‘You know when I lost my brother I understood your pain and grief.’
Martine and Jack tied the knot in 2012 on picturesque Lake Como in Italy, five years after they began dating and six years after their first meeting in December 2006.
In December 2016, during an appearance on Loose Women, Martine admitted that her friends had helped “save” her marriage to Jack.
She said: ‘I think my friends have actually saved my relationship a couple of times. There have been times, for sure. I’ve been with Jack for ten years and of course we’ve had our ups and downs. Eight years out of ten have been tough, bless him.
‘But through trials and tribulations, I think my friends, when I feel like I can’t get through to him, have brought me to my senses.
“They’ve said ‘calm down, you really love him, you two are meant to be together, don’t give up’. Nowadays, more than ever, people throw in the towel, everything is disposable.”