Martine McCutcheon went into ‘complete denial’ after second life-changing health diagnosis shortly after brother’s death

Actress Martine McCutcheon has revealed her recent diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which came amidst the tragic loss of her brother in 2022.

The 48-year-old star, known for her roles in EastEnders and Love Actually, initially struggled to accept the diagnosis.

Speaking on the podcast A Gentle Start: The Showercast, McCutcheon admitted: “At first I went into denial, completely into denial, because my brother had passed away.”

Her brother, Laurence John, died unexpectedly at the age of 31 in 2022, leaving the actress grappling with the multiple challenges of his death, coping with grief, her ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) and the new diagnosis of ADD.

McCutcheon’s candid revelation sheds light on her personal struggles and the complexities of managing mental health alongside grief.

McCutcheon described her emotional response to the diagnosis, saying: “I cried and cried, I grieved and it was just for ‘if only I’d know how different things could have been’… because I do look back and see a lot of struggle with what I did.”

The actress revealed that she had always felt there were certain things she struggled with compared to others.

She explained: “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.”

McCutcheon’s candid reflections highlight the challenges she faced before understanding her condition, helping her make sense of past difficulties and offering a new perspective on her experiences.

She reflected: “I think, thank god people are being kinder and more knowledgeable about ADD and ADHD.”

The actress now approaches life at a slower pace, believing that the right opportunities will come her way.

She noted that people are often “so busy” being distracted that they “miss the key opportunities”.

McCutcheon’s journey with ADD has coincided with other life changes, including her split from her husband Jack McManus earlier this year after 18 years together.

Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic about her ability to cope, saying: “I don’t know if I would have been able to have coped with it the way that I do now.”

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The actress has previously been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, and Lyme Disease, which cause severe pain and tiredness.

Last year, she experienced a flare-up so intense that it required hospital treatment. Despite these setbacks, McCutcheon remains positive about medical advancements.

She said: “They’re getting more and more answers about the brain and nervous system.”

McCutcheon also recently recalled her role in hit Christmas film Love Actually.

She said: “Love Actually felt like a huge impact on my life at the time but little did I know that it would go on and on to spread a message that for me is the most important message of all, and that is the one of love.”