'It's not my job to be tiny': Martine McCutcheon reveals she's happier with her curves since becoming a mum as she poses for smouldering shoot

By Marc Jackson for MailOnline

Published: 18:47 EST, 1 October 2015 | Updated: 05:15 EST, 2 October 2015

Martine McCutcheon has revealed she's happier than ever with her body since becoming a mum in an interview with Essentials magazine.

The former EastEnders star welcomed her first child, Rafferty, earlier this year and insists that she's learned to love the changes to her body that come with motherhood.

Speaking to the magazine, she explains: 'Since having Rafferty, I’m a size 14 and I’d just like to tone up a bit, but all in all I’m pretty happy with my body.

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Body confidence: Martine McCutcheon has revealed she's happier than ever with her body since becoming a mum in an interview with Essentials magazine

'Having a baby put things in perspective for me – you suddenly see how wonderful your body is because it can create life. It’s not just about how a top looks on you!'

And the star - who left the soap to embark on a pop career before big film roles in movies such as Love, Actually - insists that she knows she will never boast the body of supermodel, no matter what size she is.

The 39-year-old adds: 'I’ve always had to work a bit harder to find clothes that flatter my body shape. 

'Even when I was a size 8, I had an hourglass figure with boobs and thighs – there were times when I was younger I found it really hard because I couldn’t fit into a sample size 4. 

Stunning: The 39-year-old explained: 'Being in the public eye, you are constantly scrutinised and compared to girls who are five foot tall and a size six – it’s crazy because I’m not a model and it’s not my job to be that tiny'

Blooming lovely: The former EastEnders star welcomed her first child, Rafferty, earlier this year and insists that she's learned to love the changes to her body that come with motherhood

'Being in the public eye, you are constantly scrutinised and compared to girls who are five foot tall and a size six – it’s crazy because I’m not a model and it’s not my job to be that tiny.'

For the full interview see the November issue of Essentials, on sale now

The raven-haired beauty has recently launched her own range of clothes for the curvier woman with  Fashion World - but admits she's baffled with the term 'plus sized'.

She continued: 'The collection isn’t ‘plus-size’; it’s designed for all shapes and sizes. 

'The term ‘plus-size’ can be insulting, especially if you’re referring to women who are a size 16 and under. 

'The average woman in the UK is a size 16, so to call them ‘plus-size’ is just not accurate.'

As for returning to the spotlight in the near future, Martine admits it would have to be an amazing project that will tear her away from her son, whose father is the actress' musician husband, Jack McManus.

'I’d like to do more TV, but I don’t want to be away from Rafferty 17 hours a day,' she explained. 'If the right thing comes along, I’d love to do it, but my priorities have changed now, so it would have to be something my soul is crying out to do.' 

For the full interview see the November issue of Essentials, on sale now