Martine McCutcheon has revealed that her brother has tragically passed away.
The Love Actually star, 46, took to Instagram to mourn her little brother Laurance John, who she says died suddenly at 31 with no medical explanation.
In the lengthy social media post, Martine paid tribute to her little brother 'LJ', who had a "mild form of special needs" and was due to wed his fiancée Jay Eaton in just a month's time.
"My heart is forever broken, My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, 2 weeks ago. He was 31 years old," the Eastenders star began.
"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," she continued.
The actor went on to recall the first time she met her brother when she was a teenager. "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," she wrote.
"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," she continued, adding: "LJ had a mild form of special needs and was very clever with gadgets and adored his cars!"
Martine explained that despite his mild disability, LJ had "smashed through any expectation we had of him", and that he had been a crucial source of support in her life.
"He gave me so much, he was my anchor, my radar of what really mattered in life," she wrote.
The actress only briefly touched upon the circumstances surrounding her brother's sudden death, saying that he had looked in good health before he passed. "He looked so tanned, tall and handsome. The best I’ve ever seen him… Ironic really," she recalled.
Martine ended the post by expressing her sympathy for her mom and other loved ones, writing: "My heart aches for all who have lost him. But my heart breaks for our mum, his dad John and his Step parents."
"I'm 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," she concluded.