EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon – who is on Blankety Blank today (Saturday, May 4) – opened up about health issues she’s suffered from for the past decade.
The star opened up about the double health diagnosis on Instagram earlier this year.
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EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon has chronic fatigue syndrome
Back in February, EastEnders star Martine opened up about the “physical and emotional trauma” of having fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Martine has suffered from CFS for the past decade. The condition leaves the sufferer feeling extremely tired. Symptoms include trouble sleeping, headaches, and joint pains.
Martine shared a clip on Instagram of Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey talking about the condition.
“Whilst I’m so sad anyone goes through this, I’m also so relieved that people with such a huge platform are talking about fibro and CFS,” she captioned the post.
EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon talks fibromyalgia and CFS
Martine then continued. ” It can happen to anyone with any kind of physical or emotional trauma of some kind.
“Millions and millions are suffering with this and ME and are being left to live a life that is so disabling yet invisible and it can slowly destroy it,” she then wrote.
“So many sacrifices and compromises have to be made and eventually it will of course affect your work, relationships and mental health. Keep on taking!!!!! Thank you @ladygaga @oprah,” she then added.
Martine takes a break
Back in November, Martine announced that she had taken a break from her career to focus on her well-being.
The 47-year-old singer and actress announced the news on Instagram.
“Hello! I’ve not been on here much. But taking some time out from work and social media was much needed. In fact, it was life-changing. I’ve had dates in the diary for work (and the pressure that comes with that) since I was a kid… I’ve never taken time out of work properly before,” she said.
“I’ve been in this industry since I was a toddler and to simply have that time away from it all just for me and my health has been like I’ve sighed the biggest exhale! So many of us identify ourselves or our success with what we do. Or what our career is. That’s okay. But there is so much more to us than that. I’m evolving and changing and so is my idea of success and happiness. Finding myself in who I am now, rather than who I am has been so liberating,” she then added.
Read more: Martine McCutcheon claps back at rude troll over remark about her teeth: ‘The cheek of it!’
Blankety Blank airs tonight (Saturday, May 4) at 7.10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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