Martine McCutcheon, 47, has shared an emotional post on Instagram in tribute to her late brother, Laurence John (LJ), who died at the age of 31 last year.
In October 2022, the former EastEnders actor announced via Instagram that it hurt “like hell” to suffer the sudden death of her younger sibling.
She wrote: “Grief isn’t pretty. It hurts like hell and makes you question so many things you felt certain of.
“Just getting up to do normal things can be so tough. Some days I manage, some days I don’t.”
On Friday, Martine marked her brother’s 32nd birthday with an emotional message alongside a video montage.
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In the clip, the Love Actually star shared a variety of pictures. These included throwbacks to younger moments together, heartwarming family snaps, and portraits in celebration of LJ’s life.
In the caption, she wrote: “Happy 32nd Birthday to my baby brother LJ. Our first one without you here…
“I KNOW in my heart you will be dancing your socks off in another realm, showing them all how a celebration is done!
“But in the meantime, here on Earth, we miss you SO desperately!”
Martine continued and joked that her late brother would want the grieving family to use their energy “to celebrate all things YOU instead!”
“So, today, we raise a glass to a true one off,” she continued. “A go getter, a gentle giant, an adventurer, a lover of life and someone who showed us all how to truly live.
“Here’s to you baby! I know you are with me every day and I continue to try and do you proud.”
She ended the caption with a very sweet sentiment: “We all love you and will forever. Till we meet again, Dimples.”
Since posting, fans have flooded the comment section with condolence messages and promises to celebrate the life of Martine’s brother.
One wrote: “We will certainly celebrate your birthday LJ and I know that you’re with us enjoying the music and laughter! I will never stop loving you or missing you and we all miss you so very much.
“I’m broken but I’m doing my best to make you proud and happy! I bet they love you. I’ll love you forever”.
Another said: “Sending you lots of love. LJ will never be forgotten. My daughter Miriam is in heaven as well”.
A third commented: “Lovely memories. Sending you, Jack and Raffy lots of love. Such a difficult day. I will certainly raise a glass to LJ this evening. A very special person.”
At the time of LJ’s death, Martine told her social media followers that there was “no medical explanation” for her brother’s death and that he had died “suddenly”.
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