Martine McCutcheon has seemingly taken a swipe at her ex-husband Jack McManus following their recent split.
The former EastEnders actress shared a poignant quote on her Instagram Story about the year she has faced.
The post read: “I didn’t have the year I wanted, I had the year I needed. I didn’t have the year I wanted, I had the year I needed. I grew so much this year and for that I am grateful.”
This latest social media update comes just days after McCutcheon announced her separation from McManus after 18 years together.
The 48-year-old star has been sharing cryptic messages since the split, including a previous post about “surviving the silent battles no one knows about”.
McCutcheon initially announced the split on her Instagram account on August 22. In a heartfelt statement, she wrote: “After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it’s best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision.”
The Love Actually star emphasised their commitment to co-parenting, saying: “We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful, 9-year-old son Rafferty, whose happiness and welfare, has always been, and will continue to be, our number one priority.”
She added: “We both of course, still cherish and look forward to being parents together to our wonderful boy for the rest of our lives.” (sic)
McCutcheon also requested privacy during the transition period, particularly for the sake of their son Rafferty.
Since the split, McCutcheon has been focusing on her son. The actress recently shared snapshots from their holiday in Marbella, captioning the post: “Love these pics of us on our last night in Marbella.”
A source close to McCutcheon told OK! magazine: “Her priority is and always has been Rafferty. He has helped her get through this and she is trying so hard to remain strong for him.”
The star has previously opened up about her close bond with her only child, describing him as “cheeky, sensitive and confident”. She added: “He’s complex like his mum.”
McCutcheon has been sharing sweet moments with her son on social media, including a poolside photo where she wrote: “I love our little cuddles and games…. Nothing else fuels me like Rafferty does.”
According to a source close to McCutcheon, the actress is currently focused on being a single mother.
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The insider told OK! magazine: “At the moment she can’t ever imagine getting into another relationship and has joked she’s off men forever and the only man in her life will be Rafferty.”
The source added: “She’s going to be a proud single mum and wants him to be proud of her.”
Despite the challenges ahead, McCutcheon is reportedly finding strength in motherhood. The source explained: “She always thought she would grow old with Jack and he would be by her side as Rafferty gets older and although they will co-parent, she’s scared about doing it by herself but knows she can do it and be tough when she has to be.”
