She became world famous for her role in one of the most famous holiday films of all time, Love Actually.
And Martine McCutcheon has revealed the role saved her from a burnt-out period in which she felt “exhausted and uncomfortable”.
The 46-year-old actress had been working non-stop for several years due to her role in EastEnders, which led to the decision to leave show business before landing the Christmas role.
Big break: Martine McCutcheon reveals she was battling “exhaustion and malaise” from massive burnout before landing the role on Love Actually
During a new interview with The Mirror, Martine explained that she made the decision to leave the business and would come back if she was signed for a major role.
The star had played Tiffany Mitchell at EastEnders between the ages of 17 and 23 and felt the toll of the busy schedule.
She explained, “It was a relentless schedule of 22 scenes a day, six days a week, alongside my pop career. There was a lot of pressure, a lot of touring and I was struggling with exhaustion and feeling uncomfortable.
Martine continued that she decided not to continue, sharing: “I was only 23 and living on my own – it was scary.
Leaving: During a new interview with The Mirror, Martine explained that she made the decision to leave the business and would come back if she was signed for a major role
Too much: The star had played Tiffany Mitchell in EastEnders from the ages of 17 to 23 and was feeling the toll of the busy schedule as she was ‘exhausted’ and preparing to leave the industry (pictured on EastEnders in 1998)
“I just thought, ‘I love what I do, but I don’t love what comes with it,’ so I called my agent and quit the industry. I remember thinking, ‘If I’m going to stick with it, then’ I’m going to get a big sign.
Martine took some time off, explaining that she went to visit a friend in Spain and “slept for three days straight”.
But it wasn’t long before director Richard Curtis called and just a week later offered the actress the role opposite Hugh Grant in Love Actually.
Who would have thought: But her time away from the industry didn’t last long when director Richard Curtis called and offered the actress the role opposite Hugh Grant in Love Actually just a week later
“I literally dropped the phone. This movie completely changed my life because I would have been out of the industry,” she added.
Although Martine has become a household name through the blockbuster, she doesn’t like to see herself in the film.
The actress admitted that most cast members “squirm in our seats” during the premiere as they watched themselves on screen, and shared that she doesn’t like seeing her own mannerisms and facial expressions on a big screen .
It comes after she told Web that while the world has changed a lot since the film’s release, she feels the rom-com wasn’t about ticking too many boxes and being PC.
Looking back: It comes after she told Web that while the world has changed a lot since the film’s release, she feels the rom-com wasn’t about ticking too many boxes and being PC .
When director Richard recently said he felt “a little stupid” at some moments about the lack of diversity and inappropriate commentary, Martine took a different view.
Martine said: “I think, honestly, it was 20 years ago and the world has changed a lot, but I also think part of the charm of the film was that some of the love stories and the characters weren’t perfect.
“And they admitted or we saw their flaws, their insecurities as to whether they were real or not. That’s what made it so human.
“For me, part of the reason I love the film is because it was so honest and it wasn’t about checking too many boxes and being PC, it was about being human and I think it was was really sweet and innocent of Natalie’s character and who to talk to the Prime Minister about [her big bottom] of all things!
‘Awkward’: Martine’s comments come after Richard Curtis said he felt ‘a little silly’ over some moments regarding the lack of diversity and inappropriate comments at the Love Actually reunion with Diane Sawyer