Martine McCutcheon shares pointed post about self worth and 'deserving to feel safe and supported in relationship' following Jack McManus split - weeks after vowing to love him unconditionally

Martine McCutcheon shared a pointed post about relationships amid her split from husband Jack McManus. 

The EastEnders star, 48, announced on Thursday that her partner of 18 years had walked out on her, and insisted in her statement that she and son Rafferty, nine, were 'rooting for him'. 

The following day she appeared be in need of words of affirmation as she shared a video by author and wellness educator, Alex Elle. 

She explained on her Instagram Story: 'I love this lady. @Alex_elle soothing, gentle voice, softly reminding us of our own strength, value, love and true worth.' 

In the video, Alex detailed the need to have positive influences around you and those who validate your feelings. 

She explained: 'The older I get, the less time I have for people who are unsure about me. I need people in my life who are certain. 

'People who want to be there. People who make space for me to show up fully like I make space for them to do the same. 

'We all deserve to have people in our lives who want to be in connection with us. Who want to share space and who feel good doing so. 

'I spent a lot of my twenties walking on eggshells in hopes to be loved, well-received, and liked. I would abandon myself just to get other people to stay. 

'In this season of my life I am choosing people who choose me. I am choosing people who are sure about me. I am choosing people who do not have to second guess whether I belong or not 

'If there's anything I've learnt recently is that reciprocity and care move mountains in our relationships and we all deserve to be seen, feel safe and be supported by those we are choosing to be in relationships with.'  

Martine reposted the clip just weeks after she vowed to love Jack 'unconditionally' and shared a sweet birthday tribute to her husband. 

The couple had secretly separated at the time, but Martine shared an emotional post for Jack in which she 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!'

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 made her shock split announcement in 2016 while on a 'much needed' holiday in Marbella with their son and insisted that she and Rafferty will always 'root for' Jack going forward. 

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.'

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 previously spoke about the struggles in their relationship during her 2016 appearance on Loose Women. 

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.'

While Jack is staying at the £1.5million marital house in Surrey, Martine is on holiday in Marbella with the couple's nine-year-old son Rafferty. 

Speaking to MailOnline at their home, Jack insisted he had nothing further to add to his wife's lengthy statement. 

He revealed: 'There is nothing more to add. I will not be saying anything more about this.'

Meanwhile, a neighbour of the pair has revealed they had no indication that the pair were on the rocks while a member of Jack's family has said the split 'was very sudden.'

The neighbour shared: 'That is a big surprise. I'd often see them out with their son. Martine was always very friendly. I do feel sorry for them.' 

The couple's five bedroom 3000sq ft detached home was put on the market on May 31.

Jack's statement comes as Martine has revealed he was the one who decided to end their marriage. 

The couple married in 2012 in Italy's picturesque Lake Como, five years after they started dating.  

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.  

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.' 

A day before announcing her split, Martine posted a pictured of a dazzling silver necklace penning: 'Thank you Raffy! Me and you always!' 

At the end of July, Martine posted a cryptic quote on her Instagram page about 'letting go' and 'giving people space' as she reflected on her 'tense week'.

It read: 'Let go. Love them from a distance. Let them figure out their feelings, what they want in life, where they're going, and who they want to be. 

'Focus on yourself and your goals while you're giving them space. And remember, you're not obligated to still be there waiting when they're ready.'

Alongside the cryptic post, Martine wrote: 'It's been an intense week for many reasons and today is about decompressing, refuelling, contemplating all I feel I need to look at and making healthy choices in areas of my life to keep myself aligned, feeling happy whilst evolving but also feeling safe and grounded. 

'Have you ever had to do the above (see post) in any kind of friendship or relationship? Did you find it difficult? Or was there an element of peace and relief to know this was the right thing at that moment in time? How did you put it in place? 

'Did it help you find the truth of what you /the relationship was? Are you choosing to do this now? Did anything help give you the strength to put the right things in place? 

'I'd love to hear your thoughts! I am so grateful to have some beautiful and wise souls follow me on here and I always appreciate learning from your experiences too.'

Martine and Jack renewed their vows in 2022 and two months later admitted they '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.'

Martine played barmaid Tiff in EastEnders for four years, until the character was hit by a car on New Year's Eve 1998.

Following her soap days, Martine went on to achieve a No.1 single in 1999 with the song My Perfect Moment, and won a Laurence Olivier Award for her West End performance of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

In 2002, she captured hearts when she played the unassuming love interest of Hugh Grant's Prime Minister in Love Actually.

Most recently, Martine stunned the nation when she was revealed as Swan on hit celebrity TV show The Masked Singer.