MARTINE McCutcheon has celebrated her birthday with a trip down memory lane with some adorable (and at times hilarious) throwback photos.
The EastEnders icon, who played Tiffany Mitchell from 1995 to 1999, shared a collection of old school photographs starting from being a baby through to life as a mum herself.
Including shots of her as a baby being washed by her mum in the bath, Martine’s pictures showed her posing as a young girl in a dance costume, collecting awards, and her first professional headshots.
She’s also seen cuddling up to her Love Actually co-star Colin Firth behind-the-scenes, and an official photo of her and Ross Kemp, who played Tiffany’s husband Grant on EastEnders.
Alongside the pics, which she used the hashtags #WhatALife and #StillCelebrating, Martine wrote a long message reflecting on her life’s accomplishments.
She wrote: “A lot has happened in 45 years. I couldn’t possibly begin to fit it all in! I could say I didn’t dream of some of the things that happened to me, but to be honest I always did dream big and felt that I was destined to do certain things…. Even if it did all start from selling dodgy perfumes with my mum at car boot sales in the East end!
“I have my mum to thank for always going for it and believing I had a chance to do better things – Thank you [Jenny Tomlin] 
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“I always felt my purpose was to be an inspiration in some way…,” she later continued. “Make people feel good or like they could be someone – I hope that’s happened and I’ve inspired some of you along the way.
“Most of all I met and fell in love with the love of my life [Jack McManus] and finally after years of misfortune, I became a mother. I knew in my heart it would complete me and it did.
“Rafferty, I couldn’t love you more. You are the light of my life.
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“Life has been a rollercoaster for sure- certainly not dull! There has definitely been lots of laughter and tears but that’s what makes us alive and we live and learn…’ she added.
“I really believe we are all here to learn our own unique lessons for spiritual growth. I’m so grateful for what and who I have in my life now.
“I’m proud of the woman I have worked on to become and I’m so happy to say I’m the most content and complete I’ve ever been.
“Life isn’t always easy but hold on and keep smiling as you never know what tomorrow may bring as my hero Scarlett O Hara says ‘Tomorrow is another day!’”
Celebs were soon sending their well wishes, with Corrie’s Samia Longchambon saying “Happy birthday gorgeous lady” and Ruth Langsford calling her friend “beautiful”.
“Proper inspo and a wonderful human being with a beautiful family. Happy birthday for yesterday MM,” added Ore Oduba.
