Martine McCutcheon has admitted anxiety made her a 'recluse' as she candidly discussed her struggles after her split from husband Jack McManus. 

This week, the actress, 48, revealed that Jack, 40, had left her after 18 years together - days after she wrote a heartfelt birthday tribute for him.

She has now recalled feeling as if she was 'losing her mind' as she was overcome by 'huge fear' while dealing with perimenopause symptoms. 

Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Woman’s Hour, Martine revealed: I didn’t want to answer my phone. I didn’t want to answer the front door, go outside and I would panic out of nowhere and have to pull over when I was driving because I felt this huge fear and couldn’t breathe.

'I genuinely felt I was losing my mind. I didn’t know if I really was or if it was something that was perimenopausal.'

She added: 'It would just come on out of nowhere and when I spoke to my specialist about it she said, "You know this is sadly the case for many women".'

Martine is now on holiday in Marbella with the couple's son Rafferty, 9, while her ex is staying in their £1.5million house in Surrey. 

On Friday, Martine appeared to make a cryptic dig at Jack when she reposted a video from author Alex Elle.

In the video, Alex says: 'The older I get, the less time I have for people who are unsure about me.

'I need people in my life who are certain. People who want to be there. People who make space for me.'

Sharing the video to her Story, Martine wrote: 'I love this lady. @alex_elle soothing, gentle, voice, softly reminding us of our own strength, value, love and true worth.'

Announcing their split, she wrote in a statement: 'After much thought and consideration, Jack has decided it's best for us to separate after 18 years together and I accept his decision.'

'We are both so very blessed and grateful for our beautiful, 9 year old son Rafferty, who's happiness and welfare, has always been, and will continue to be, our number 1 priority.'

She continued: 'We both of course, still cherish and look forward to being parents together to our wonderful boy for the rest of our 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.

'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.

'Many thanks in advance for your respect and support, at this difficult time...And I continue to send Jack, all the love, luck and happiness for the next chapter of his. 

'Rafferty and I (as always,) are rooting for you!

'Thank you all, for the love and support, now and always...Martine.xx.'

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the time of Martine's statement, Jack had said: 'There is nothing more to add. I will not be saying anything more about this.'

Meanwhile, a neighbour of the pair has revealed they had no indication that the pair were on the rocks while a member of Jack's family has said the split 'was very sudden.'

The neighbour shared: 'That is a big surprise. I'd often see them out with their son. Martine was always very friendly. I do feel sorry for them.' 

The family of Jack have said their split was 'very sudden' - and was triggered by him two months ago.

Asked today why they had split, Jack's aunt said from the family home in West Wickham, Kent: 'I really can't say. Jack's mum is over there with him now. I am looking after the dog. 

'It's been hard. There's been a lot going on. My sister just lost her husband as well. It was very sudden. It was announced two months ago now.'

The couple married in 2012 in Italy's picturesque Lake Como, five years after they started dating.