Her Big Television Break

Her unwavering determination finally paid off in 1995 when, while working as a shopgirl at Knickerbox, Martine was offered the small part of Tiffany Raymond on the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. As Martine received more exposure from the soap, press interest also increased, and what should have been a triumphant experience was marred in 1996 by a series of salacious stories sold to the press, first by Martine's father and then by her boyfriend, Gareth Cooke. Despite this the role of Tiffany grew, as did Martine's popularity with the audience and millions of viewers tuned in to see her final scenes in Albert Square in 1998, when her character was killed in a special episode screened on New Years Eve. In reality Martine had decided to quit the soap in order to embark on a pop career and the death of her on-screen character was not viewed favourably by the actress. Since leaving the show she has publically slammed the executive producer, Mal Young (who made the decision to kill her character) for treating her unfairly and bringing her role to an end so irrevocably, merely to punish her for quitting. In turn Young has hit back at McCutcheon saying that her anger only arose beacuase she wanted wanted him to keep her role in EastEnders open as a 'safety net' in case her pop career failed, and he was not prepared to do this. Martine has subsequently dedicated a chapter of her autobiography depicting a less than favourable account of the producer.

Pop Career

In 1999 Martine unleashed herself as a new solo pop-artist, surprising critics and doubters alike by scoring a number 1 in the UK Singles Chart with the ballad Perfect Moment. The song was a global success reaching number 1 not only in the UK, but in Israel, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland & Australia too. That same year she scored two more top 10 hits, reaching number 6 with the singles 'Iv'e Got You' and later 'Talking in Your Sleep', which was recorded for the Children in Need appeal with all proceeds being donated to the cause. All 3 three singles were taken from her debut album 'You, Me and Us', which peaked at number 2 in the British Album charts and was certified as double platinum. During this period Martine thought she'd found happiness with a friend and lover, Jonathon Barnham, but that relationship soured with a reported miscarriage and the revelation that Jonathon had attended sex parties behind her back. There were also rumours that Martine had to stump up the £75,000 bail money for Jonathan, when he and his father were charged with importing cannabis into the UK.

In 2000 Martine released her second album wishing, which made number 25 in the Uk album charts and spawned two hit singles; the number 2 hit 'I'm Over You' and her follow up song 'On The Radio', which was famously used as the theme tune for Hibernian striker Amadou Konte. Martine released her third album 'Musicality' in 2002, a Broadway influenced cover album, which reached number 55 in the albums charts. However her pop career stalled when her contract with EMI Liberty was cancelled due to poor sales of her third album.

Recent Work

Martine subsequently went on to play Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady in London's West End. Despite being plagued by health problems during her run, she won the award for best actress in a musical at the 2002 Laurence Olivier Awards.

In 2003 McCutcheon featured in her first major film role. She appeared as tea-lady Natalie in the Richard Curtis romantic comedy Love Actually, where the British Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) falls in love with McCutcheon's character. The film received reviews and box office returns. Martine headed off to America in the wake of the film's success, but a Hollywood career sadly failed to materialise.

In 2004 Martine, along with many other global stars, featured in a promotional film for London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

In September 2005 she appeared in two episodes of hit BBC Drama Series Spooks, playing a waitress who witnesses a terrorist bombing, and in December of the same year, she took part in the Christmas Day edition of ITV's 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' with Louis Walsh. She also appeared on the Christmas Eve edition of Parkinson (also on ITV1).

Her next project will be screened on the UK television station ITV in Spring 2006. In "The English Harem" she plays the English wife of a Muslim man (Art Malik), and her journey to discovering that he already has two wives.

Trivia

• The notorious website Popbitch credited her with inventing the phrase 'Pop and Chop' , relating to recreational use of combining the drug cocaine and champagne.

• Martine appeared in the video for Caribbean Blue by Enya, playing a fairy.

• Among the men she's been romantically linked with are EastEnders co-star Paul Nicholls, snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, and Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall.

• Martine was a bridesmaid to Liza Minnelli at her wedding to David Gest in 2002.

Singles

• 1999 "Perfect Moment" UK no.1
• 1999 "I've Got You" UK no.6
• 1999 "Talking In Your Sleep / Love Me" UK no.6
• 2000 "I'm Over You" UK no.2
• 2001 "On The Radio" UK no.7

Albums

• 1999 You Me & Us UK no.2
• 2000 Wishing UK no.25
• 2002 Musicality UK no.55