EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon shares heartbreak as she announces her brother has died age 31

Martine McCutcheon shared the news that her brother has passed away at the age of 31. The former EastEnders actress, 46, took to Instagram to share the news of the death of her brother Laurence McCutcheon.

Martine shared that her heart is “forever broken” after the loss of her brother who was also due to get married next month.

The Love Actually actress revealed how there has been “no medical explanation” for her brother’s death. Paying tribute to the “gentle giant” Martine McCutcheon took to Instagram to share a post about her brother Laurence.

McCutcheon said: “My heart is forever broken. “My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, twoweeks ago. He was 31 years old.

“There is no medical explanation as to why we lost him so soon and whilst we investigate further, we are having to accept that nothing will bring our boy back to us.”

The actress, who has a 15 year age gap with her brother, also shared memories of her time growing up with him. On Instagram she said: “L.J (Laurence John) was born when I was 15 years old and from the moment I first held him in my arms, I felt so proud and fiercely protective of him.

“He was such a character! He made us all laugh and loved nothing more than making a plan, having a great play list, bringing people together and generally having a giggle.

“He hated the thought of a party ending and so was always on to the next thing!“

In the tribute to her brother, Martine continued to share the love she had for a brother. She continues: “LJ had a mild form of special needs and was very clever with gadgets & adored his cars! With unwavering love, support and a commitment to himself, he took hold of life with both hands and smashed through any expectation we had of him.

“ He would genuinely blow us all away at times! He had a huge heart and adored Rafferty. He gave me so much, he was my anchor, my radar of what really mattered in life and whilst he was always so proud of me and would tell the world I was his sister

“I always wanted to protect him from the limelight and the characters that could be drawn to him for the wrong reasons”

In the long post on Instagram, Martine also shared how her brother was due to get married next month. McCutcheon wrote: “ He travelled the world, he had parents, sisters, a brother and friends that couldn’t have loved him more!

“He could have you infuriated one minute and laughing the next with his dimples and soppy smile LJ fell in love and was due to get married next month.

“I was asked to be bridesmaid and the last time I saw him, was a few days before he passed. He, jack and his future stepson had been to try on their wedding suits and then they came back to have dinner with his fiancée and the family to see our new home.

“He looked so tanned, tall and handsome. The best I’ve ever seen him… Ironic really… My heart aches for all who have lost him.

“But my heart breaks for our mum, his dad John & his Step parents. You should never outlive your children. Im scared to live without you LJ but I know you will want us to truly live, laugh and love in your memory. I will try I promise.”

Recently, McCutcheon took part in an ABC special The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later hosted by Diane Sawyer, which celebrated the 2003 film. The actress reminisced on her memorable kiss with Hugh Grant’s character David.