Tamzin Outhwaite delivers response to ‘judgemental’ transphobes
Tamzin Outhwaite shares heartfelt message for critics of the transgender community
Tamzin Outhwaite, the 55-year-old British actress famed for her role as Mel Owen in BBC One’s long-running soap EastEnders, has offered a candid reflection on the challenges of being a parent to a transgender child. Her eldest child, Flo, who is 17, began identifying as transgender around the age of 10 or 11, an experience she recounted during a conversation on the Parenting Hell podcast with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe in July 2025.
Currently, Tamzin is married to actor Tom Ellis, who has appeared in popular series like Luther and Miranda. She and Tom have two children, and their journey has included navigating the complexities of Flo’s identity. Reflecting on the process, Tamzin acknowledged the emotional shift from being a mother of two daughters to raising a son and daughter, with Flo’s transition being a pivotal moment.
“That’s quite easy for me to say now, but it wasn’t maybe six or seven years ago,” she shared. “The maddest thing is, I suppose, is that it’s not the most interesting thing about him. He’s an incredibly funny, intelligent boy. And I’m watching him grow into a wonderful human who’s very talented. To see him thriving is just nothing but relief and joy for me, really. Because there were some dark times.”
She emphasized that family therapy played a significant role in helping her understand Flo’s experiences. “Now we’re in a really wonderful place as a family. Flo is in a wonderful place as a brilliant actor, singer, writer, and director in his sixth form at school. And Marnie is thriving,” she said, her tone filled with warmth.
Tamzin recently attended the British Diversity Awards at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, where she highlighted the importance of empathy. “Before people judge, you don’t know the journey that the person has been on to get where they are,” she stated. “I don’t have to explain that, but it wasn’t short. It’s a long process before someone actually speaks about it for the first time.”
“Every journey is completely different, so I think it’s really easy to judge,” she added. “But if it’s not actually affecting you, I believe you should not judge, because nothing is easy.”
EastEnders legacy and personal history
Her EastEnders character, Mel Owen, first appeared in the Walford Square in 1998 and became central to major plotlines, including a dramatic twist where she left Ian Beale on their wedding day. Mel later became entangled in a significant love triangle with Steve McFadden’s Phil Mitchell and Steve Owen, culminating in marriage and parenthood.
Tragically, Tamzin’s second stint as Mel ended with the death of her son Hunter, who was shot after taking hostages in the Queen Vic. In heartbreaking scenes, Mel took her own life by stepping in front of a lorry in 2019, a moment that resonated deeply with fans.
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