Tamzin Outhwaite: Age And Why She Loves It
There’s a lot to be said about Tamzin Outhwaite. From being a talented actress, a steady mummy, a hopeful woman, a delightful friend and simply for being her.
Tamzin Outhwaite is no stranger to the British entertainment industry. She has been on screen since 1993 and has been a part of the British households for a long time, making her well-liked among her fans.
What’s more, she is dating someone way younger than her! More about Tamzin Outhwaite’s age, her life after her biggest TV hit, and her divorce stories.
First Things First, What Is Tamzin Outhwaite’s Age?
Image Source/Hello Magazine
She turns 50 this November and she feels confident, happy and accomplished like never before!
So, what has she been up to for the past few decades? And what about midlife crisis? Did she do anything mind-blowingly cool? We sure are going to find out.
But Before That, Who Is She And What’s The Story Behind Tamzin Outhwaite’s Rise To Fame…
Best known as EastEnders star, Tamzin Outhwaite hails from East London and started off with productions such as Grease and Oliver!
Her television venture began with TV series such as The Bill and Men Behaving Badly. But, she got her big break with BBC’s EastEnders. More about Tamzin Outhwaite and her EastEnders adventure later…
Once she rose to fame through EastEnders, there was no stopping her!
Image Source/What’s On TV
From drama series such as The Fixer, playing the lead in sci-fi crime series such as Paradox; judging of UK TV programme such as Don’t Stop Believing and comedy-drama series such as New Tricks; playing in theatre productions such as How the Other Half Loves to appearing in true crime episodes of Dateline – Tamzin has proved that she is indeed a versatile and talented artist!
Apart from TV shows, she has also acted in films such as 7 Seconds, Backwaters, Radio Cape Cod, Great Expectations, and MOTH (Man of the House).
Tamzin has also starred in TV since 1993. The Mystery of Dr Martinu, The Bill, Out of Control, Red Cap, Walk Away and I Stumble, Law & Order: UK, Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders, and Hotel Babylon, to name a few.
Phewww…
Oh Wait, There’s More Of Tamzin’s Talented Work!
Apart from acting, she also puts her voice to good use. She had done narration in Crimewatch and Naked Beach.
Fun Fact: In 2019, she was the narrator in Meghan Markle: Movies, Marriage & Motherhood in a television special revolving around Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
Her Unending Love For Theatre!
Source/YouTube
On another note, she seems to be besotted with theatre. Apart from How the Other Half Loves, she has also played in Boeing Boeing.
Apparently, Tamzin has spent her teenage years attending the Stagestruck Theatre Company and later she studied part-time at Sylvia Young Theatre School. And once she was done with school, she chose to join the London Studio Centre to pursue her passion for drama and dance.
Tamzin admitted that theatre nourishes her. Despite Tamzin Outhwaite’s age, theatre has been a constant in her life, throughout her teenagehood till her glorious five-o!
“If I don’t do a bit of theatre at least once a year, I feel depleted and starved.
“But then I find myself in the rehearsal period and it’s as terrifying as it is nourishing. Television is very instant, theatre is much more free, but you are very much on your own up there on stage and in control of your own performance.”
An Award-Winning Soap Star
Image Source/CelebMafia
Besides being extremely talented, Tamzin Outhwaite is also an award-winning soap star!
Some of the awards she received are:
- British Soap Award (Sexiest Female) for EastEnders in 1999 and 2000
- National Television Award (Most Popular Newcomer) for EastEnders in 1999
What did we say about EastEnders shining the spotlight on her?
EastEnders, From The Beginning Till The End…
Image Source/Mirror
Her first round of stint in EastEnders started in October 1998 and ended in April 2002. During the stint where Tamzin plays Mel Owen on EastEnders, she became a very integral part of the story line, capturing the eyes and hearts of the audience.
Her second round of stint came about in October 2017 and ended in November 2019 after her character, Mel was killed off in a heartbreaking car crash.
Obviously, Tamzin was emotional after the last shoot where the actress shares EastEnders spoilers leading to an ‘oops’ moment!
Instead of waiting for the day of the final episode to be aired, she tweeted about the end of Mel Owen and later, tweeted again to clear the confusion.
So that’s it! The end of an era… for me at least. Melanie Healy/Beale/Owen has left the building… it’s been a pleasure , a privilege and a 21 year association with a family I will cherish forever and never forget….TIL next time my beautiful cast and crew… you all rock.❤️
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) September 7, 2019
Sorry if I have confused some people … Mel Owen will still be on screen for a little while in @bbceastenders but yesterday was my final filming day. Hope that’s cleared things up 🙏
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) September 8, 2019
Tamzin’s 21 Years Of Excellent Performance!
Understandably, 21 years of being a central character is a big thing and she deserves a big round of applause! Of course, her fans took care of that!
Here are some of the heartwarming responses she received via Twitter.
“Not looking forward to when your last episode is to air. Mel Owen will always remain to be an iconic character, thank you for bringing her to life with such elegance and beauty.”
“Can we all just give Mel a hug? She needs it.”
“You will be truly missed! Fantastic performances over the past couple of months, especially this week.”
She Is Not Flustered By Her Age… Could It Be Because Of Tamzin Outhwaite’s Age And Experience?
Image Source/Entertainment Daily
When asked what she thinks is the best age to be, she was pretty chill and sensible.
“The age you are. I like the fact I’ve got a past to learn from but I don’t want to wish my life away either.”
And, when she hit 40 in 2010, she said,
“I have no qualms about hitting 40.
“I think every year should be celebrated. And I don’t worry about it affecting my career.”
In Fact, She Feels Accomplished…
“In my head, that climb up the career ladder just doesn’t exist. I feel I’ve achieved everything I set out to achieve, as far as work goes.
“I really do feel that I’ve been extremely lucky and have almost been chancing it a bit, you know? So the rest is now a bonus. I’m living on bonus coupons at the moment.
“And it’s a massive thing for me that I get to go home to my children every night. I have to work in London.”
A Little Peek Into Tamzin’s Personal Life…
Tamzin’s maternal family heritage goes back to Italy and notably, her great grandfather set up a successful ice cream business in County Durham after getting settled here.
On a more recent note, Tamzin was married to actor Tom Ellis for seven short years, after which they divorced due to Tom’s one-night stand while shooting in 2013.
However, Tamzin has two beautiful daughters Florence and Marnie from the marriage and it’s apparent that she loves them to bits!
“I’m extremely proud of myself and my girls because we have an extra-special bond. We’re in a pretty amazing place, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to say three years ago.”
Being a single parent, she admitted that:
“It’s tough working as a single parent, but I’m lucky enough to have chunks of time when I’m at home and a huge circle of friends and family, although my biggest extravagance is child care.
“It’s not as if I’m struggling financially …my hat goes off to those who have that burden of worry as well.”
And Then, There Was Love Again…But, This Time It’s A Young Love!
Tamzin is now dating personal trainer Tom Child who is 21 years younger than her!
She has even said that she is open to the idea of marrying again. Looks like things are going rather well with her boyfriend Tom Child, despite the age gap.
“I’m not a scorned woman. I’m ridiculously happy and my marriage ended a very long time ago.”
“I did initially question whether a 20-year age difference would work but we couldn’t stay away from each other.”
Tom has moved in with Tamzin and her daughters. What’s more, Tamzin has revealed that he makes her happy!
“He reminds me to just breathe if I’m not having a great time. And he reminds me to sweat, to work out because it makes you feel better.
“We exercise together, but it’s definitely something we don’t do enough. I’ve not been as good for Tom as he has been for me, probably.
“Tom and I both already had what we needed, so we enhance each other’s lives. I’m really happy.”
Hmmm…But Could This Be The Midlife Crisis Everyone Talk About?
“People think I’m having a midlife crisis, but actually, not all men want a younger woman. Helena Bonham Carter has a younger guy, too. I love that.
“There’s Joan Collins, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Helena with younger men, so I’m in really lovely company.”
“The other way around, no one says anything about a younger woman do they?”
So, no. Tamzin is not having a mid-life crisis. She is just happy with someone who loves her.
Fun Fact: Helena Benham Carter is also dating someone 21 years younger than her!
Tamzin Outhwaite Takes On Motherhood Like A Champ…And Has It All Figured Out
In 2015, she took a break from acting for nine months to focus on her children and till date she puts her kids first instead of work.
“At the time, I thought it was a risk because, as an actor, you’re never meant to say no. You think, ‘If I leave all that for a while, then I won’t be able to get back in.’
“But it’s nonsense. And I will never, ever regret turning stuff down so I could be at home with my children. They need you, you know? What happens in those formative years shapes the rest of their lives.”
She added that her life revolves around her kids as much as theirs around her.
“So I have a definite feeling of contentment – the work is steady and the children know I’m not having to go away for, say, two weeks to do a job. A stable and happy mum leads to stable and happy kids. It all has a knock-on effect.
“It’s also a very female-led world, although my kids do still have role models in their life who are men. My brothers and my dad are very present, so it’s not like we have a sad hole in our lives.”
Her Friends Seem To Be Solid Too…
As someone who loves to help her friends, it is natural that Tamzin has a circle of good friends in her life.
Apart from wishing the best for her, Lisa Faulkner, Angela Griffin, and Amanda Holden share crucial life events with Tamzin.
Last year, the four got together to celebrate Lisa Faulkner in her hen party before her wedding to John Torode.
In 2016, Amanda Holden and Tamzin cruised along River Cam in Cambridge to celebrate Tamzin’s 46th birthday.
Fun Fact: Amanda Holden is a judge of Britain’s Got Talent 2020 alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and David Walliams.
Last But Not Least, Here Are Some Interesting, Quirky And Unbelievable Tidbits About Tamzin Outhwaite…
Many people think of her as sassy and glamorous, but she’s not! She denies it too.
“There’s a perception of me as some sort of ball-breaking bitch because those are the sort of characters I play, but that’s not who I am. Well, not all of the time.”
She is someone who can’t bear being lazy and loaf around!
“I think there’s no excuse for being bored, loafing around, being lazy, I always crave boredom – but in reality, I never allow it into my life, I juggle and juggle.
“I can relax, I do relax – but it has to be scheduled. In a yoga class, I am completely Zen, but I wouldn’t ever sit down and watch telly just to pass the time.”
If she didn’t make it as an actor, she would have pursued interior designing!
“I love interior design; if I wasn’t an actress that’s what I’d do. I recently bought swathes of fabric and a sewing machine and set about running up cushion covers with huge energy and enthusiasm. I’d only made four when it suddenly dawned on me ‘This is boring!’.
“It wasn’t making cushion covers, it was the design aspect that appealed to me most; the way spaces are created and how the mood can be affected by lighting and colour.”
Or perhaps a child psychiatrist!
“In a truer life, I’d have been…A child psychiatrist. Emotions interest me and I’m fascinated by how a child’s mind works.”
She was surprised that she got married at all!
“The most surprising thing to happen to me was…Getting married – I’d resigned myself to thinking it would never happen.”
And she believes in the journey, not the destination!
“It’s all about the journey, not the destination. So many people are focused on reaching the top of an imaginary ladder that they don’t enjoy the climb.”
