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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Martine McCutcheon's pals reveal how Love Actually icon went bankrupt for a second time
Former EastEnders actress Martine McCutcheon is having a rough time of it of late, with the newly single star recently declared bankrupt for a second time Former EastEnders actress Martine McCutcheon has been hit with another blow just a year after parting ways with her husband Jack McManus, with it revealed over the weekend that the newly single star has fallen on hard times financially. The Love Actually actress has reportedly been declared bankrupt, as per court documents, following a petition for insolvency over a debt owed to a finance company, official public records have disclosed. This comes on the heels of her having to reduce the asking price of her beautiful Surrey home. It's now claimed the star, who was once worth millions as an Olivier Award winner with a number one single to her name, lost her money due to "high spending habits" and struggling to land roles amid a battle with ill health. Martine's friends reportedly say their pal made some "highly questionable spending decisions" over recent years, like paying 'thousands' to the Mafia in order to tie the knot with ex Jack in Lake Como, Italy back in 2012. The mum-of-one being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) in 2011 and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) has also damaged her bank balance and seen her earnings take a dip. One of the star's friends muses how, despite appearing in one of the nation's favourite soaps and classic Christmas film Love Actually, Martine's most iconic roles came about over 20 years ago and "money does not last for ever if you do not invest it wisely." "It has not helped that she loves the finer things in her life, and it is no secret that she has spent more than she should have done over the years," the pal tells the Daily Mail. "She has had bits and pieces of TV work recently – but nothing has come close to being a blockbuster role that might get her out of her financial mess." They add: "It's a real shame as she's immensely talented with a wealth of experience. Hopefully she can turn things around, but she's had a real tough time." A court document indicates that the insolvency order was issued on 31 March this year, a few months after she announced her split from Jack, her husband of 18 years. The couple share a 10 year old son, Rafferty. The bankruptcy ruling, which was filed under her married name, Martine McManus, was handed down in March at the County Court in Guildford, instigated by a petition from a firm named LDF Finance. Meanwhile, Martine's company, Raven Music Ltd, was also wound up last month, a move initiated by HMRC due to outstanding tax bills. The most recent accounts reveal that the business had a tax liability exceeding £175,000, due within the 12-month period post-February 2022. However, the total amount of Martine's personal tax bill remains undisclosed, and it is yet to be determined whether the Official Receiver will call for a public examination of her bankruptcy, which would lay bare her financial situation. This isn't Martine's first brush with financial woes. Despite a previous net worth of around £2million, she faced bankruptcy in 2013 with debts totalling approximately £187,000, including a hefty £150,000 owed to HMRC. By the following year, Martine had been discharged from bankruptcy and was once again financially solvent. She and her now ex-husband splashed out a staggering £1.3million on their former marital home in Surrey just three years prior. Last year, the pair announced their separation after an 18-year marriage. Announcing their separation on social media, she stated: "After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it's best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision. I continue to send Jack, all the love, luck and happiness for the next chapter of his life."
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
EastEnders' Martine McCutcheon declared bankrupt
Martine McCutcheon has been declared bankrupt after a petition was filed for insolvency over a debt to a finance company, official public records reveal. EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon has encountered further distress a year on from her separation from husband Jack McManus. The 49 year old actress has been declared bankrupt following a petition for insolvency due to a debt owed to a finance firm, official public records indicate. This comes after she was compelled to reduce the asking price of her beautiful Surrey home. A court document reveals that the insolvency order was issued on 31 March this year, just a few months after her announcement of her split from Jack, her spouse of 18 years. Martine and Jack are parents to their 10 year old son Rafferty. The bankruptcy ruling, registered under her married name Martine McManus, was granted in March at the County Court in Guildford, subsequent to a petition lodged by a company named LDF Finance. However, Martine's company, Raven Music Ltd, was also liquidated last month, a move initiated by HMRC, due to unsettled tax bills, reports the Mirror. The most recent accounts reveal that the business had an outstanding tax bill exceeding £175,000, due within the 12-month period following February 2022. However, the total amount of Martine's personal tax bill remains undisclosed, and it is yet to be determined whether the Official Receiver will request a public examination of her bankruptcy, which would disclose her financial situation. Despite facing bankruptcy, Martine has kept her spirits high and hasn't let the strain show publicly. She recently shared a joyful day out with her son, Rafferty, and their pet dog on social media. Addressing her 635,000 Instagram followers, the ex-EastEnders actress expressed: "Wow... I needed this more than even I thought! I love being by the water.." She continued to share her appreciation for the UK's beauty spots, especially in good weather: "The UK has SO many beautiful places and in the sunshine, it really does take some beating, doesn't it? This is us on Hampton Court River.... We booked a boat, and took a little picnic, and it was gorgeous! ! Where do you love to go to in the sunshine months? I would love to hear your thoughts for our next little excursions in the summer!" However, this isn't Martine's first encounter with financial woes. Despite previously having a fortune estimated at £2million, she faced bankruptcy in 2013 due to debts totalling about £187,000, including a hefty £150,000 owed to HMRC. Remarkably, just a year after her bankruptcy, Martine was discharged and returned to financial stability. She and her now ex-husband splashed out an astonishing £1.3million on their former family home in Surrey only three years prior. Last year, the pair announced their separation after a marriage of 18 years. Announcing their separation on social media, she stated: "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 went on to express her well-wishes: "I continue to send Jack, all the love, luck and happiness for the next chapter of his life." This news came just a few weeks after they put their £1.5million home up for sale.
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Martine McCutcheon declared bankrupt for second time months after marriage split
Actress and singer Martine McCutcheon has been declared bankrupt, 11 months on from her marriage split. The ex-EastEnders star began dating Jack McManus in 2009, and they married in 2012 before announcing their separation last year. Now, it has been revealed that the 49-year-old has filed a petition for insolvency due to a debt to a finance company. As official public records state, Love Actually actress Martine made the filing just two months after selling her family home, which she did at a slashed price, knocking £250,000 off the £1.5million Surrey pad for a faster sale. According to MailOnline, Martine's bankruptcy order was made in her married name—Martine McManus—despite her being single at the time. The order was issued in March at the County Court in Guildford, Surrey, after the company LDF Finance filed a petition. It has not been specified how much money Martine owes them. This is the second time Martine has been declared bankrupt. Her first came in February 2013 at a High Court in London, even though she was said to be earning more than £250k a year then. Shortly after the bankruptcy became public knowledge, Martine took to social media with a message for her followers. 'I can't begin to express my love and gratitude for such kind and encouraging messages. I'm truly so touched. I love you guys. Thank you. Xx', she wrote on X, then Twitter. Martine, known for playing Tiffany Mitchell, was then discharged from bankruptcy on January 2, 2014. Also within a year of their wedding day, Martine faced serious financial hardship as debts mounted. Consequently, she had to sell the £25,000 engagement ring Jack proposed to her with. 'I just thought my health, money, career have all been taken from me, and now even my engagement ring—the one thing that represents what is solid in my life—has gone,' she said woefully at the time. Back to present day, alas, her second bankruptcy isn't the only financial issue facing Martine as she navigates her divorce. Last month, her company, Raven Music Ltd, allegedly faced off with HMRC over unpaid tax bills, owing over £175k. It comes after Martine released a statement confirming she and Jack, with whom she shares a 10-year-old son, were parting ways. '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 previously wrote on Instagram. 'We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful, 9 year old son Rafferty, whose happiness and welfare, has always been, and will continue to be, our number one priority.' She added that both parties 'still cherish and look forward to being parents together to [their] wonderful boy for the rest of [their] 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,' penned Martine. '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.' She concluded by thanking fans for their 'respect and support' through the 'difficult' time, also wishing Jack 'all the love, luck, and happiness for the next chapter' of his life. Martine and songwriter Jack first met at a music event in London, with the soap star recalling that it was pretty much love at first sight. 'We laid eyes on each other, and that was it,' she said. 'When we met, something very wonderful happened. 'I thought when I met The One. I'd be shouting it from the rooftops, because that's the sort of person I am. But it was like a quiet contentedness. More Trending 'It was so calm and warm, and I felt, for once, that I didn't need to brag. I think he felt the same.' They tied the knot five years later in a lavish Lake Como ceremony. Even that came with an unprecedented price, though, with Jack confessing afterwards that 'hidden costs' were incurred, forcing them to pay 'thousands' to the mafia to let off fireworks. View More » Reps for Martine McCutcheon have been contacted for comment. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘People walk out tall': Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Loading Last month three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historic incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state member for Richmond, Gabrielle De Vietri, said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Loading Responding to The Age, Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement that, 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer as 3pm. Lasham says as a 53-year-old bloke he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'FAG' tag to wear at the bar– but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he said. He's learned every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms.
The Age
7 days ago
- The Age
‘People walk out tall': Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Loading Last month three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historic incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state member for Richmond, Gabrielle De Vietri, said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Loading Responding to The Age, Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement that, 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer as 3pm. Lasham says as a 53-year-old bloke he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'FAG' tag to wear at the bar– but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he said. He's learned every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms.
