Martine McCutcheon

Born: May 14, 1976
Where: Hackney, London

Born into the spotlight - Martine made her first television appearance in a Party Political Broadcast at a mere six weeks old.

At 4, she appeared in ads for Pears soap and Kool Aid. And at 10, she burst onto the music scene when she played a fairy in an Enya video.

Best known for her long-time role as cockney barmaid Tiffany in Eastenders, and for her big screen break in Love, Actually opposite High Grant, Martin has a string of stage, music and TV successes behind her.

After a successful hugely publicised concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Martine recorded her first album, You, Me & Us. The album was a hit, reaching multi-platinum status; the first single, Perfect Moment, reached number one. Her second album, Wishing, wasn't quite so successful.

Martine was then cast in the role of a lifetime as Eliza Doolittle in a London stage rendition of My Fair Lady. From the start, there were problems. She missed opening night, and many subsequent nights, due to illness.

Subsequently her understudy performed the role nearly as much as she did. Some fans were so outraged that they openly called for her to be sacked. Despite the pressure and some time in hospital, Martine eventually won an Olivier Award, Britain's most prestigious theatrical award.