It was the role that propelled her to unforeseen stardom, but Martine McCutcheon was on the verge of quitting showbiz completely before Love Actually came knocking.

She stole hearts with her portrayal of bumbling secretary Natalie in the 2003 rom-com. Unlucky in love and infamous for her accidental foul-mouthed remarks, she kept anything but her cool in the presence of Prime Minister David, played by Hugh Grant.

But, true to the film’s message, romance found her serendipitously, as the PM reciprocated his blushing junior staff member’s feelings, and, well, the rest is history.

It’s been 22 years since the Richard Curtis-directed festive flick was released, and there’s no denying it’s a classic now, as Martine is as much a part of the nation’s Christmases as she is her own.

However, Mar

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