Tamzin Outhwaite opens up on split with toyboy 20 years her junior - after ex-husband's cheating

Eastenders legend and acting star Tamzin Outhwaite, 53, split with her toyboy partner Tom Child, 33, after six years together earlier this summer - aand 10 years from her divorce from Lucifer and Miranda star Tom Ellis, who previously admitted cheating on her with co-star Emile De Ravin

She styles herself as “Glamzin” on social media... and Tamzin Outhwaite certainly knows how to live up to the name.

In her latest role, she stars as the sexy, single and carefree Sylvie in Channel 5 drama The Wives. And off-screen, Tamzin reveals she now shares a lot more in common with her than when she started filming.

The 53-year-old split with her toyboy Tom Child, 33, after six years together earlier this summer. And now, as she speaks exclusively about the break-up for the first time, she reveals she is happy being single for the first time in her life. In fact, like Sylvie, she “really likes” being on her own.

Speaking to the Mirror, Tamzin says: “There has been no acrimonious ending; we’ve moved on to a friend zone. We are still really great mates, which is nice.”

Tom and Tamzin met at a yoga class in 2017 and he seemed a perfect match for the former EastEnder. He was her first serious relationship after her difficult 2014 divorce from Lucifer and Miranda star Tom Ellis, the father of her children Flo, 16, and 12-year-old Marnie. The 45-year-old, who now lives in the States with his new wife Meaghan and daughter Dolly, cheated on Tamzin with co-star Emile De Ravin while filming US series Once Upon a Time.

Her new, younger Tom had always been credited with helping her mend her broken heart and they had even moved in together. They were still an item when she filmed The Wives in Malta in April – but this month she hinted at a possible split, saying she did not need the “commitment of another human being”.

Not that Tamzin is looking for pity. In fact, she tells us finding herself single again feels different this time around. “Maybe before now, I’ve been single but not happy,” she admits. “But I’m quite happy. And being single and happy is a really lovely place to be. And that can only happen with life experience.”

It is a contrast to her earlier split. Last year, she posted a statement to mark “10 years since the father of my kids walked out on us for the final time” – suggesting the hurt still cuts deep. She added she was marking the anniversary with “pride, a feeling of triumph and genuine gratitude”.

And she added: “For anyone struggling, the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself.”

When it comes to her latest break-up, however, Tamzin stresses she is now far more comfortable being alone than when she was younger. “There is a lot said about people not wanting to be on their own as they get older,” she says. “I really like being on my own. Especially now, at this age, I really like my own company.”

Likening herself to her character in the Channel 5 mystery drama, she adds: “Sylvie’s only been freshly divorced. Deep down, she’s probably got some pain that she needs to deal with. I’m not like her in that way. I feel pretty clear and happy – I’m at a place where I’ve come through the other end. Life feels really good.”

It certainly sounds like it. And it helps that the six-part drama – which concludes over three nights this week – gave her lots of girl-power time with her friends Angela Griffin, 48, and Jo Joyner, 47, who play Sylvie’s ex-sister-in-laws, Natasha and Beth.

Tamzin says: “When the show makers told me they were considering offering the part of Natasha to Angela Griffin, I was just so excited because she is one of my best mates and I thought this was going to be brilliant.

“And when they mentioned Jo, I thought, ‘This doesn’t get any better’ as I’ve known Jo for years.”

Jo and Tamzin’s working paths crossed in 2018 when they resumed their EastEnders roles as Tanya Branning and Mel Owen, respectively. Tamzin adds: “We both had a relationship with Max Branning! That was the closest we got to working together [so] to do The Wives was an absolute dream.”

The three women supported each other during filming when they were feeling “mum guilt” for being away from home. Jo has 15-year-old twins Freddie and Edie with husband Neil Madden, while Angela and husband Jason Milligan have daughters Tallulah, 20, and Melissa, 18.

“To be surrounded by what felt like family when you were so far from your own family was so important,” says Tamzin. “After a day’s filming, we’d all eat together or go back to one of the apartments to cook. We had a heavily female set. It was an all-female team of producers. That really does help with the understanding of family commitments or what it means to miss school events.

“I did manage to be with my eldest for their GCSE mocks and exams, but the mum guilt doesn’t stop.”

Being part of a strong female cast is also a reflection of the significance of friendships in her own life. Tamzin’s Glamzin social media is filled with shots of her with friends, including Holly Willoughby, Amanda Holden and Lisa Faulkner. “I like my own company but I also have great groups of mates”, she says.

“Friendship groups are really important for a lot of women. Getting strong roles for women is a rarity at this age. I think the majority of people that watch TV are women of a certain age and a lot of those don’t see themselves reflected on TV.”

Tamzin’s character Sylvie, who she likens to Sex And The City’s Samantha Jones, enjoys hooking up with younger men she’s met online. So is Tamzin thinking about trying the dating apps?

“I’ve never tried it and I wouldn’t know how to go about it,” she says.

Born in Ilford, Essex, Tamzin shot to fame as Mel Healey in EastEnders before leaving the soap in 2002 and appearing in the likes of Red Cap, Hotel Babylon and The Fixer. She later took on the role vacated by Amanda Redman in BBC drama New Tricks from 2013 until 2015, before joining the recent adaptation of Great Expectations.

And she jumped at the chance to play Beverley in the Mike Leigh-directed Abigail’s Party this year. Theatregoers have praised her performance in the play, which runs at Theatre Royal Stratford East until October 12. She says: “I’m in a bit of a ‘pinch me’ career time.”

• The Wives, Monday, 9pm on Channel 5 & My5.