‘I’ve got my spark back’
Martine McCutcheon on The Masked Singer, Barbara Windsor and finding her mojo again
‘I’d always go to Barbara if I needed a cry’
When we catch up with Martine McCutcheon, she’s still buzzing about her six-year-old son Rafferty’s reaction to her being revealed as the swan on ITV’s
The Masked Singer.
“He could not believe his mummy was on his favourite show,”she tells us over Zoom.
Martine, 44, has worked in the entertainment industry since she was just 10, making her name as EastEnders’
Tiffany, before taking the pop world by storm. She’s also won an Olivier Award for her role in West End musical My Fair Lady
and starred in global hit film
Love Actually.
However, in recent years, Martine has been enjoying family life with her husband of eight years, singer-songwriter Jack McManus, and their little boy Rafferty.
But after losing herself in the magic of The Masked Singer,
Martine’s relishing every second of being back in the spotlight and tells us she already has some exciting plans for the future.
Well, you had us fooled on Martine!
The Masked Singer,
It’s a relief! My loved ones kept asking what I’d been up to and I had to keep saying,“I’m just filming a quiz show today.” They kept saying, “Another one?”It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to keep secret.
Did any of your celebrity friends get in touch afterwards?
Alan Carr said,“Now I know where you’ve been, you sly fox – or should I say swan!”And Louise Redknapp, who I went to school with, put it on Twitter and then asked me. I felt so bad not responding.
Why did you want to take part? Because my son is a massive fan of the show. It was time for me to be Rafferty’s hero for five minutes.
You shared an adorable video clip of his reaction…
Every time I see that video it makes me cry. He couldn’t believe his mummy was on his favourite show. Everything was worth it for that.
Is Rafferty musical like you and your husband, Jack?
He loves music and singing. He wanted a little white keyboard for Christmas, so I think he’ll be like his dad in the making of music. He’s got a real natural knack and picks it up quite quickly.
Was Jack equally proud?
When I’ve doubted myself and lost my mojo a bit over the years, he’s the one who’s said,“Don’t forget who you are and what makes you tick.You’ve got me, you’ve got a support network. If you want to go for it, go for it.”
Are you hoping this might kickstart your music career again?
Your priorities change as you become older and you become a mother and a wife, and work’s not always the be-all and end-all any more. But if it’s in your DNA, it doesn’t ever really leave you. The Masked Singer gave me back my confidence, my spark and I fell a bit in love with it again.
When you were unveiled, Twitter went mad saying you don’t age. What’s your secret?
Ah, how lovely, I hadn’t seen that! I don’t think there’s such a thing as a secret. But the one thing I know that works for everybody is just having confidence in yourself, and learning to love yourself.
Do you think that comes with age?
You’re less hard on yourself as the years go by, and you accept what you are and what you’re not.That’s a lovely thing about getting older. You know yourself enough to not care about what other people think.
Was it nice to do something for yourself?
When you’ve given birth to somebody and they’re literally a part of you, it’s natural that they have that part of you forever. But it’s also natural that you need to be you.The reaction that Rafferty’s given me was a reinforcement that it’s OK to enjoy your career, while still being a wonderful mum.
So what’s next?
I’ve been recording some stuff – we’ve got a recording studio where we live at home – and I’ve been asked to do a TV presenting role.
What’s your career highlight that everyone stops you to talk about?
Love Actually, because it’s shown every Christmas and has a timeless element to it. I’m really proud of it.
You lost your friend Barbara Windsor last month.What’s your favourite memory of her?
I met Barbara when I was 10 years old. We worked together on my first TV show and I fell a bit in love with her from the moment I met her. Eight years later when I got the part in EastEnders, she remembered me and said,“Haven’t you grown up into a fine young lady?” I couldn’t believe it, but that was Barbara all over. She was kind, funny, naughty and the person whose dressing room I’d always go to if I needed a little cry. She was my mentor, my friend, and such an amazing person.
The Masked Singer, 7pm, ITV