Martine McCutcheon's grateful death

Martine McCutcheon claims being killed off 'EastEnders' was a "godsend".The actress - who played Tiffany Mitchell in the hit soap - was initially devastated when she was told she would never be able to return to the show, but now realises it opened up many doors for her.Martine - who went on to have a number one single and starred alongside Hugh Grant in 'Love Actually' - said: "In a way it's a godsend they killed off Tiffany because I would never have done all those things - the pop career, the films and kissing Hugh Grant! None of that would have happened if Tiffany had still been alive."Martine is now starring in new soap 'Echo Beach' and is pleased she's teaming up once again with producer Tony Jordan, the man behind some of her most famous 'EastEnders' storylines.She is quoted by Britain's Soaplife magazine as saying: "The show;s executive producer Tony Jordan wanted me to do it and I'm really thankful for the chance. Tony wrote all the good stuff when I was playing Tiffany. We have this professional love affair with each other."