Tamzin Outhwaite is an English actress, dancer, presenter, and narrator, widely recognized for her role as Mel Owen in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Born 5 November 1970 in Ilford, Essex, she has built a career across television, film, and theatre since the late 1980s.
Her professional life remains active, with 2025 credits including Murder Before Evensong. Public interest in her career often intersects with questions about her personal life, particularly her marriage to actor Tom Ellis, her children, and her current relationship status.
Who Is Tamzin Outhwaite?
Born Tamzin Maria Outhwaite, she trained at the London Studio Centre before establishing herself in British entertainment. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she joined the cast of EastEnders as Mel Owen.
- Outhwaite’s professional career spans from 1989 to the present day.
- She is best known for playing Mel Owen in EastEnders across two distinct stints.
- She was married to Welsh actor Tom Ellis from 2006 to 2014.
- The marriage ended after reports of Ellis admitting an affair.
- In 2025, she publicly clarified that she has a son and a daughter.
- Her film work includes Cassandra’s Dream (2007) and The Duke (2020).
- Her height is listed as 5′ 8″ (1.73 m) on major databases.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tamzin Maria Outhwaite |
| Profession | Actress, dancer, presenter, narrator |
| Date of Birth | 5 November 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Ilford, Essex, England |
| Years Active | 1989–present |
| Height | 5′ 8″ (1.73 m) |
| Spouse | Tom Ellis (m. 2006–2014) |
| Children | A son and a daughter |
| Training | London Studio Centre |
| Known For | Mel Owen in EastEnders |
Who Is Tamzin Outhwaite’s Partner and Husband?
Her marriage to Tom Ellis
Tamzin Outhwaite married Welsh actor Tom Ellis in 2006. Ellis later gained international fame for his title role in Lucifer. The couple divorced in 2014. Public reporting indicates the marriage ended after Ellis admitted an affair, something Outhwaite has discussed publicly.
Life after marriage
Following her divorce, Outhwaite dated documentary maker Tom Child. Later reporting says that relationship lasted around six years and ended in 2024. Recent coverage describes her as single.
While recent entertainment coverage describes Tamzin Outhwaite as single, this specific detail is not consistently confirmed across her official profiles or primary biographical databases.
Does Tamzin Outhwaite Have Children, Daughters or a Son?
Publicly known details about her children
Outhwaite has two children with her ex-husband Tom Ellis. Public records and interviews identify them as Florence Elsie Ellis and Marnie Mae Ellis.
The 2025 clarification
In July 2025, Outhwaite publicly shared that her eldest child is trans. “I’ve got two kids. I did have two daughters and now I have a son and a daughter,” she said. This means her children are now described publicly as a son and a daughter, although earlier sources identified both as daughters.
Many earlier profiles and databases describe Outhwaite as having two daughters. Following her 2025 statement, the accurate public description is a son and a daughter.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Tamzin Outhwaite Been In?
Signature television roles
Outhwaite began her career in 1989 and built a long career in British television. She has been associated with series such as Red Cap, New Tricks, and Hotel Babylon. Across her career, she appeared in over 600 episodes of EastEnders as Mel Owen.
Film and other screen credits
Her film work includes Cassandra’s Dream (2007), The Bank Job (2008), and The Woman in Black (2012). More recent credits include The Duke (2020), Bull (2021), and the 2025 television production Murder Before Evensong, in which she plays Stella Harper.
According to IMDb, Outhwaite’s recent credits include the 2025 production Murder Before Evensong, as well as the films The Duke (2020) and Bull (2021).
What Is the Timeline of Tamzin Outhwaite’s Life and Career?
- 1970: Born Tamzin Maria Outhwaite in Ilford, Essex, England.
- 1998: First appears as Mel Owen in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
- 2002: Leaves EastEnders for the first time.
- 2006: Marries actor Tom Ellis.
- 2007: Appears in the feature film Cassandra’s Dream.
- 2014: Divorces Tom Ellis.
- 2018: Returns to EastEnders as Mel Owen.
- 2019: Departs EastEnders for a second time.
- 2025: Publicly shares that her eldest child is trans; appears in Murder Before Evensong.
What Is Established and What Remains Unclear About Tamzin Outhwaite?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 5 November 1970 in Ilford, Essex, England. | Current relationship status as of 2025 is not officially confirmed in primary sources. |
| Played Mel Owen in EastEnders from 1998 to 2002 and 2018 to 2019. | Full net worth is not verified in available public records. |
| Was married to Tom Ellis from 2006 to 2014. | Complete list of awards requires verification from an official agent. |
| Has two children, a son and a daughter. | Upcoming projects beyond Murder Before Evensong (2025) are not yet announced. |
| Height listed at 5′ 8″ (1.73 m) on IMDb. |
Why Does Tamzin Outhwaite’s EastEnders Role Still Matter?
Mel Owen is regarded as one of EastEnders‘ defining characters of the late 90s and early 2000s. The role anchored Outhwaite’s public identity for decades and drew her back to the square in 2018. For a look at another actor navigating the aftermath of an EastEnders exit, see Jamie Borthwick – Age, Net Worth, Partner and Why He Left EastEnders.
What Do the Sources Say About Tamzin Outhwaite?
“Tamzin Outhwaite is an English actress, best known for playing Mel Owen in EastEnders from 1998–2002 and again from 2018–2019.”
— Wikipedia / Apple TV
“Tamzin is an award winning actress who has performed successfully across the media of theatre, film and television, trained at London Studio Centre.”
— Park Theatre
“I’ve got two kids. I did have two daughters and now I have a son and a daughter.”
— Tamzin Outhwaite, via PinkNews (2025)
What Should You Remember About Tamzin Outhwaite?
Tamzin Outhwaite remains one of British television’s most recognizable actresses, with a career spanning soap opera, prime-time drama, film, and theatre. Her ongoing work and public openness about her family continue to distinguish her. For a similar career profile, see Angela Griffin – Bio, Movies, Husband and Directing in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tamzin Outhwaite’s ex-husband?
Tamzin Outhwaite was married to Welsh actor Tom Ellis from 2006 to 2014. The couple have two children together.
Does Tamzin Outhwaite have a son?
Yes. In 2025, she publicly clarified that she has a son and a daughter.
How many children does Tamzin Outhwaite have?
She has two children with her ex-husband Tom Ellis.
When did Tamzin Outhwaite first join EastEnders?
She first appeared as Mel Owen in 1998 and stayed until 2002. She returned for a second stint from 2018 to 2019.
What is Tamzin Outhwaite’s height?
Her listed height is 5′ 8″ (1.73 m) according to major entertainment databases.
What is Tamzin Outhwaite’s latest work?
Her recent credits include the 2025 television production Murder Before Evensong.
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Jonathan Crawford is Editor-in-Chief at BritView.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions.