Actress and singer Martine McCutcheon has returned to work for the first time since the heartbreaking death of her brother Laurence John (LJ) at the age of 31.
The Love Actually star, 46, shared the tragic news to her Instagram on October 11, adding that a cause of death has not yet been determined since LJ's passing two weeks before.
Today Martine took to her Instagram Stories to share that she has returned to work for the first time since this heartbreaking event.
She began her video saying: "Hi everybody, I hope you're well. It's my first time on Insta since I shared my post about losing my brother a couple of weeks ago.
"Firstly thank you so much for the outpouring of love, it means so much to my family, I can't tell you. And also to those in the media who have listened and respected my family's privacy, that aren't in the public eye, thank you."
She then goes on to discuss her return to work saying: "Today was my first day going back to work. I didn't know if I could do it or not, I was nervous. [It was] a bit of filming and a meeting, and I'm so glad I did it.
"I know my brother would want me to keep on keeping on, and he was so proud of me and the fact that I like to inspire people and make them feel good and give them a little bit of magic where I could.
"I felt him with me and I did it. First day back, so yeah, I did it."
As Martine spoke to her 540k Instagram followers, text on the clip read: "Thank you for your support [prayer hands emoji].
"Getting back to it bit by bit. I know LJ would want me to carry on. He was proud of me and understood why I do what I do.
"Grief is a strange old thing and there is no one way to navigate it, but it felt good to do some work. I was nervous but I did it.
Announcing her brother's passing on Instagram, Martine posted a picture of herself and LJ, writing: "My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, 2 weeks 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. [broken heart emoji]."
READ NEXT:
Martine McCutcheon's late brother's heartbroken fiancée shares moving tribute and pics
EastEnders confirms six returning characters for Dot Cotton's emotional funeral
Helen Skelton's estranged husband 'expecting baby with girlfriend' six months after split
Kate Garraway says husband Derek Draper is in hospital again as she shares update
Get exclusive celebrity stories and shoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter
Source: Read Full Article