Martine McCutcheon addresses 'brutal' breakup and hints at betrayal from 'mutual friends'

Martine McCutcheon has revealed she has lost a number of friends who have sided with her ex-husband, musician Jack McManus, who she was in a relationship with for 18 years

Martine McCutcheon has addressed her shock split from husband Jack McManus - and hinted she's lost friends because of the divorce.

The 48-year-old Love Actually icon was married to 40-year-old musician Jack for 12 years - and had been together for five before their nuptials. But their romance came to an abrupt end earlier this year with Martine announcing the news and asking fans to be supportive while she and Jack figured out how to raise their nine-year-old son, Rafferty, together.

In the months since Martine's shock announcement, it seems she has not had the enthusiasm for a social life and has been feeling "blah" as a consequence. She has now revealed that one of her closest friends forced her to join her on a night out - which resulted in them being the last ones standing in a local bar.

However, the EastEnders legend also revealed she has fallen out with those who sided against her following her marriage split. Sharing photos of herself looking happy in a bar with her friend on Instagram, Martine wrote: "About Last night… My darling friend @samanthajm managed to get me 'Out Out' for first time in months!!!!! Whoop whoop!"

She continued: "If I’m honest, I was feeling all 'blah' and not into it at all! But she wasn’t giving up on me and she was right not to! We had SO much fun! Whoop! Whoop! We were the last ones there (Oh yes! Turns out Martine’s still got it!)" The night our proved to be a confidence boost for Martine as she continued: "A couple we met, were so lovely too and apparently, have followed my career and my insta for years (Great taste obvs!) So a massive shout out to them - Thank you for the lovely compliments, care and for making my head swell to the size of Brazil!"

As she went on, the actress revealed that she has lost some of her once close friends. She wrote: "And Samantha, you know that any break up after 18 years isn’t easy, in fact there are some facets that can feel brutal… Mutual 'friends' have gone silent, or have clearly picked a side, when they were never, even asked to! But I’m so lucky to have you!"

Showering her friend in praise, she continued: "You are a gracious, fair, loving, thoughtful, friend and you show them all how it’s done darling! Thank you for being so wonderful to me and Rafferty and Jack and for taking the time to make me feel seen and heard. It means so much! I love you 'Mate!' #watchout #shesoutout #greatnight #neededitmorethanithought #greatfriends."

Martine stunned her fans when she announced her divorce plans in August, writing on line: "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, nine-year-old son Rafferty, who’s happiness and welfare has always been, and will continue to be, our number one priority.”

She added at the time: “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.”

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