Martine McCutcheon opens up about her depression

Former EastEnders actress Martine McCutcheon has spoken about how a crippling illness and depression has affected her life over the past seven years.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday McCutcheon, who appeared as Tiffany in the BBC One soap from 1995 to 1998, said over the past few years she’d piled on weight, suffered mood swings, became depressed, had to declare herself bankrupt and considered suicide.

It reads like a week worth of plot from EastEnders.

I would pray to God I wouldn’t wake up. I would just say, ‘Please, whatever this is, it is making me feel so bad, just let it kill me. …I’ve had the worst seven years ever. It’s just been one thing after another. I have not been in a nice place in my head, financially nor with my career. – McCutcheon in The Sun

Following her departure from Albert Square she had a successful music career including a number one hit with Perfect Moment and a successful run in stage productions as well as several appearances in dramas such as Midsomer Murders and Marple. But with the onset of a mystery illness she began to turn down work.

I’d started struggling with the schedules. I could sleep endlessly. Once a scene was cut I’d nod off in my trailer and producers would struggle to wake me. I was worried people thought I had a drink or drug problem, but I didn’t, I was just really unwell.

McCutcheon told the tabloid that she has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome ME.

Read More: Martine McCutcheon links illness to unhappy childhood