Actress Martine McCutcheon will be hoping 2025 is a happier year for her as she suffers another cruel blow following her split from husband Jack McManus.

The Love Actually actress, 48, and musician Jack, 40, called time on their romance over the summer after 18 years together, with Martine seemingly revealing she was against a separation and Jack was the one to pull the plug on their marriage.

And in another cruel blow for the former EastEnders actress, it’s reported that Martine has been forced to slash the asking price of her once happy marital home as she looks to sell up ahead of their divorce. Jack and Martine actually listed the £1.5million house in Surrey for sale in May, three months prior to announcing their split.

The house, where the former couple lived with nine-year-old son Rafferty, was purchased by Martine and Jack for £1.3 million in June 2022. Despite originally listing it for sale at £1.5million, the exes have since slashed the price by £250,000, according to the MailOnline- meaning they look set to lose £500,000 should it sell for the £1.25million they’re asking for.

In November, Martine opened up about her unexpected split from husband Jack in August, suggesting that the divorce has led to a loss of friends. Since the surprising news broke, Martine has experienced a dip in her social life, feeling rather “blah” about it all. But recently, one of her dearest friends encouraged her to go out, resulting in a lively night where they were the last to leave a local bar.

Jack McManus (L) and Martine McCutcheon announced their split over the summer ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The former couple are now looking to sell their Surrey home ( 
Image:
Instagram)
Despite this boost, Martine disclosed that she’s had fallouts with some friends who took sides post-divorce. On Instagram, alongside cheerful snaps from her night out, Martine expressed her gratitude: “About Last night… My darling friend @samanthajm managed to get me ‘Out Out’ for first time in months! ! ! ! ! Whoop whoop! “.

Martine gushed about her recent night out, admitting she initially wasn’t in the mood: “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! )”

She found herself uplifted by the encounter with fans who’ve been following her journey: “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!”

Reflecting on personal changes, Martine shared: “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!”

She heaped praise on her friend for her support: “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 left her fans in shock when she announced her plans to divorce in August, posting online: “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 further added: “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.”