Martine McCutcheon opens up about life-changing diagnosis

Martine McCutcheon has revealed she was in 'complete denial' after being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) following the death of her brother.

The actress and singer, 48, received the diagnosis after her brother LJ, Laurence John, passed away at the age of 31. 

Then while battling ADD during these tough couple of years, Martine announced her husband Jack McManus had left her, ending their 12-year marriage, in a shock statement.

Speaking on the new podcast A Gentle Star: The Showercast on Wednesday, Martine revealed she had been struggling to get out of bed after LJ's death in 2022.

It was at that time she received her ADD diagnosis, which she was in 'complete denial' about, as she was overwhelmed grieving for LJ and already living with ME (chronic fatigue syndrome).

'At first I went into I went into denial, completely into denial, because my brother had passed away,' she said. 'I've been diagnosed with ME, and I just thought, I can't take this diagnosis on and whatever it means. I need to just keep going at life the way that I am. And in a way, I was kind of right. 

'And then when I did finally look at it, I cried, I cried, cried and cried, I grieved, and it was just for if only I'd known how different things could have been, how much more with ease I would have been able to have done things.'

Opening up about understanding her diagnosis, Martine said: 'I always felt there were certain things that I looked at differently, different things I struggled with compared to other people, but different things I found so easy, and I realised, when I got my ADD diagnosis, that I had spent so much time trying to be a square in a round circle, and it was exhausting. 

'It was so draining. It was just so hard. And in a way, I feel like I wasn't meant to find out, as sad as it was, because I did lose a lot of things in my life. 

'I did struggle with a lot of things that I don't think I would have done necessarily. I think that if I'd have known before those four years ago that I had ADD, I don't know if I would have been able to have coped with it the way that I do now.'

Less than two years after her diagnosis, Martine and her ex-husband Jack split, with the star revealing 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 shared the shock announcement while on a 'much needed' holiday in Marbella with their son and insisted that she and Rafferty will always 'root for' Jack going forward. 

Fans were left in disbelief by the news as it came just three weeks after she shared a gushing birthday post to Jack on August 4 and revealed he was grieving the death of his father.

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.'

The family of Jack said their split was 'very sudden' - and was triggered by him two months ago.

Asked why they had split, Jack's aunt said from the family home in West Wickham, Kent: 'I really can't say. Jack's mum is over there with him now. I am looking after the dog. 

'It's been hard. There's been a lot going on. My sister just lost her husband as well. It was very sudden. It was announced two months ago now.'

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

The actress's split came after a tough few years following the death of brother LJ, who had a mild form of special needs and passed away at the age of 31 at the end of 2022 with 'no medical explanation'.

In October of that year, she told her fans to 'hold each other extra tight' in a reflective post. 

'A Blue sky and sunshine Saturday. Have a wonderful weekend all. Hold each other extra tight and make memories,' she wrote at the time.

She said the website designer had been due to get married to his fiancé Jay Eaton, 49, in a month's time and Martine, who was going to be bridesmaid, had seen her brother just a few days before he had died. 

She wrote: 'My heart is forever broken, My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, 2 weeks ago. He was 31 years old. 

'There is no medical explanation as to why we lost him so soon and whilst we investigate further, we are having to accept that nothing will bring our boy back to us.

'L.J (Laurence John) was born when I was 15 years old and from the moment I first held him in my arms, I felt so proud and fiercely protective of him. He was such a character!

'He made us all laugh and loved nothing more than making a plan, having a great play list, bringing people together and generally having a giggle.'

You can listen to Martine's episode  of A Gentle Start: The Showercast podcast from haircare brand Timotei now via Spotify and Apple Music. 

WHAT IS ADHD/ADD? 

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. People usually receive a diagnosis of ADHD, where hyperactivity is present. 

It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK. 

Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include:

• Constant fidgeting 
• Poor concentration
• Excessive movement or talking
• Acting without thinking
• Inability to deal with stress 
• Little or no sense of danger 
• Careless mistakes
• Mood swings
• Forgetfulness 
• Difficulty organising tasks
•  Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
• Inability to listen or carry out instructions 

Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.

Its exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person's brain function and structure.

Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk. 

The condition is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette's and epilepsy.  

There is no cure. 

A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier. 

Source: NHS Choices