Martine McCutcheon Focuses on Motherhood After Shock Split from Husband Jack McManus

Martine McCutcheon stunned fans with the unexpected announcement of her split from husband Jack McManus after 12 years of marriage, revealing that it was his decision to end the relationship. Now, sources close to the Love Actually star say she is coping with her heartbreak by devoting herself to being a single mother to their nine-year-old son, Rafferty, told OK! Magazine.

“Martine was completely blindsided by the split,” a source shared. “Although they were having issues, she believed they could work through them. She was desperate to make it work, and this has been incredibly tough for her. But her priority has always been Rafferty. He’s helped her through this, and she’s trying hard to stay strong for him. She knows it’s crucial for her and Jack to remain civil for Rafferty’s sake, and she’s leaning on friends and family for support when it all becomes too much.”

In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, the 48-year-old actress 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. We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful 9-year-old son Rafferty, whose happiness and welfare have always been and will continue to be, our number one priority. We will continue to co-parent our wonderful boy for the rest of our lives.”

She continued, “While this decision has evolved over time, we are still finding our new way forward as a family and kindly ask for some privacy, especially for our little boy. Our love for Rafferty will never waver or change, and we want to protect him and help him feel as safe and secure as possible.”

Martine expressed her ongoing support for Jack, adding, “I continue to send Jack all the love, luck, and happiness for the next chapter. Rafferty and I are rooting for him.” Determined to stay positive, Martine has been sharing photos from a holiday in Marbella with Rafferty, where they’ve been “making memories to cherish.” In one post, she shared a sweet moment of them in the pool, writing, “I love our little cuddles and games… Nothing else fuels me as Rafferty does. He’s like my little bestie these days!”

Martine has often spoken about her close bond with her son, describing him as “cheeky, sensitive, and confident.” She added, “He’s a contradiction—very much like me. On the outside, he’s bubbly and confident, but he also gets nervous. He’s complex, like his mum.”

While Martine navigates this challenging time, the source says she is finding strength in motherhood. “Right now, she can’t imagine getting into another relationship and has joked that she’s off men forever, with Rafferty being the only man in her life. She’s going to be a proud single mum and wants Rafferty to be proud of her. Their bond will only grow stronger through this, and Martine knows she can be tough when she needs to be.”