- Born
- Birth nameMartine Kimberley Sherri Ponting
- Nickname
- Mart
- Height1.70 m
- Martine McCutcheon was born Martine Kimberley Sherri Ponting on the 14th of May 1976 in Hackney, East London, to Jenny Tomlin (née Jeanette Lilian Ponting) and Thomas Hemmings. She has a younger brother called L.J.
She studied at the renowned Italia Conti stage school in London from the age of 10. She appeared in several billboard ads as a child, then won a part in the BBC children's series Bluebirds in '89, after which further TV and theatre roles followed. At 15 she was picked to front the all-girl band 'Milan', who went on tour with East 17, but they disbanded in April '94.
McCutcheon's big break came in January '95 with the part of Tiffany Raymond in 'EastEnders'. During her 4 years on the soap, Tiffany married Grant (Ross Kemp), had a daughter, and found a place in the nation's heart. However, her departure from the series was marked by controversy, with executive producer Matthew Robinson later saying in an interview "Martine McCutcheon didn't "decide to leave the show". She demanded the BBC allow her to come and go within the series at her behest, making it impossible for storyliners to write coherently for her character. So we had little choice but to kill Tiffany. Yes, the character was popular; yes, Martine had talent. But no one is bigger than the show - executive producers included."
McCutcheon went on to pursue a singing career. She went on to release six hit singles and three albums, two of which reached Gold and Platinum status.- IMDb mini biography by: Andrew Morris <moz@andrew-morris.freeserve.co.uk>
- SpouseJack McManus(September 15, 2012 - present) (separated, 1 child)
- ChildrenRafferty Jack McManus
- ParentsThomas Hemmings
- She was awarded the 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical of 2001 for performance in My Fair Lady at the Royal National Theatre: Lyttelton.
- In April 1999, her debut single "Perfect Moment" entered the UK charts at number one and remained there for two weeks. Her second single "I've Got You" entered the UK chart at its peak position of number six. Her third single "Love Me/Talking In Your Sleep" entered the UK charts at its peak position of number six. Her fourth single "I'm Over You" entered the UK chart at its peak position of number two. Her fifth single "On The Radio" entered the UK chart at its peak position of number seven. She was also nominated for a BRIT award for Best British Newcomer and Best Pop Act at the 2000 ceremony.
- Was a bridesmaid at the wedding of David Gest and Liza Minnelli (16 March 2002).
- Released her autobiography, Who Does She Think She Is? (2001).
- Starred in the West End revival of My Fair Lady in 2001, but dropped out due to health issues after 12 months.
- I love nice things - I consider Ralph Lauren sheets to be a necessity, not a luxury - but I've known what it's like to be poor.
- I eat foods such as fish, chicken, fruit and vegetables while avoiding red meat, dairy and wheat.
- I don't want to fly the flag for being unhealthy and overweight, but I don't want to fly the flag for being too thin, either.
- I don't think for a second that I'm the best at anything, but I know I'm really good at quite a lot of things because I work hard.
- I can't dance on ice, because I'm like Bambi on ice.
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