EastEnders: Mel Owen's exit to be 'explosive' as Tamzin Outhwaite leaves
She's a Walford legend!
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 12th Jul 2019 Last updated 12th Jul 2019
EastEnders legend Tamzin Outhwaite AKA Mel Owen returned to Walford in 2018 to the delight of 'Enders fans up and down the country. Mel was last seen on the Square in 2002 after the dramatic death of her husband Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) - she then fled to Portugal after discovering she was pregnant.
When she returned in January 2018, viewers rejoiced - but their happiness at her return has been short-lived, as Tamzin is now set to leave the soap once again.
Although show bosses are understandably keeping details of her exit strictly under wraps, Metro are reporting that it will be related to her sun Hunter's jail-term for killing Mel's violent husband Ray Kelly - with the publication describing the upcoming events as 'explosive'.
It's especially gruelling timing, considering that Mel's on-screen best pal Lisa Fowler played by Lucy Benjamin is returning, and the pair of them had great chemistry on-screen.
Tamzin Outhwaite said, "When John (Yorke) asked me to return to EastEnders back in 2017, I jumped at the chance to play Mel once more but it was only supposed to be for a year. That year quickly passed and I agreed to stay on for another, but now the time feels right to once again pursue other challenges.
"I will of course miss so many people here at EastEnders, and I will forever have good memories of my time at the show, but I am also excited to experience new roles outside of Walford."
Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for next week...
Max continues to grow desperate to get baby Abi back and once again tries to contact Rainie but when she hangs the phone up, he fears he's lost his granddaughter for good.
EastEnders: Mel Owen's exit to be 'explosive' as Tamzin Outhwaite leaves
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Ian asks his mum for some time to think about it – what will he do? And how will the Branning brothers react?
Max continues to grow desperate to get baby Abi back and once again tries to contact Rainie but when she hangs the phone up, he fears he's lost his granddaughter for good.
Max begins to crumble under pressure but hope is found when Jack looks at a picture Rainie has sent and realises he has seen the hotel logo before…
Over at the hotel, Rainie begins to live her best life after stealing the money and it's not long before she meets another guest at the hotel – Michael – who offers to help out with baby Abi.
Michael spots Rainie's bag is full of cash and invites her out for a drink but she gently lets him down and goes back to the hotel. When she prepares to check-out she spots Jack and Max arriving and quickly rushes back upstairs.
Max and Jack are confused when Michael answers the doors and denies knowing anything which leads to Rainie thanking him. Things take a weird turn when Rainie goes to leave the hotel but realises all of her money has been taken…
When Kathy Beale spots a tense exchange between Ian Beale and Max she is quick to question her son and he's forced to confess all to her about Rainie leaving the Square.
Elsewhere Jack is touched when Denise Fox offers him some advice about his money troubles and he ends up asking Adam Bateman if he can exchange on the flat this week.
While Adam contemplates the decision, Jack sees Habiba half-dressed in the background... After Jack leaves, Adam scolds Habiba but has their affair been discovered?
Jack's day gets even worse when his police pal Muski reveals that his name has come up in an investigation – he attacked Fraser.
When Tiffany Butcher discovers Muski paid a visit to the Square, Jack reveals all and tells her what really happened. Max overhears their conversation and it soon becomes clear to him that his brother is in trouble.
A desperate Jack asks Denise to fake an alibi for him but when her doesn't reveal the reason behind the attack – Fraser abused Tiffany - she storms off.
Following a conversation with Kush Kazemi, Denise takes his advice and agrees to help Jack but when he still doesn't tell her why he needs an alibi, she decides to end their relationship. Tiff is left feeling even more guilty.
After a heart-to-heart with Tiffany, Jack returns home and tells Max the police are on their way. Max thinks on his feet and suggests that Jack should go into hiding.
Meanwhile, Rainie goes to desperate lengths to escape the hotel without paying. Kathy shares some heated words with Max about him not calling the police.
As baby Abi has gone missing, Max struggles to hold things together and turns up to work drunk.
Rainie, who is now desperate and homeless, asks Stuart for help. When Stuart bumps into Max in the Square, he hides the fact that Rainie has been in touch and rushes to go and find her.
Rainie goes to desperate lengths to earn money for herself and baby Abi but when things begin to turn dangerous, Stuart arrives just in time to save the day.
Stuart tries his best to help Rainie but he's stunned when she thinks of a dangerous money-making scheme, eager to protect her he decides to go along with it.
Feeling guilty, Tiffany talks to Denise about Jack and praises her uncle – but will it be enough for Denise to forgive and forget?
Meanwhile, Chantelle Taylor tries to talk to Keegan Baker about his feelings for Tiffany but he insists she's messed him around too much.
As Keegan opens up about his career to his brother in law, Gray suggests that he joins him for a day in the office.
Over at The Prince Albert, Karen Taylor bumps into Caren who buys her a drink and it's not long before the two begins to chat.
Soon after Tina points out to Karen that it's clear Caren was flirting with her. Later on, Karen is floored when Caren invites her on a date – but what will she do?
Over to the Slater household things continue to be tense following Kat Moon and Stacey Fowler's falling out. Mo enlists Robbie Fowler's help with cleaning at the club but Mel Owen is less than impressed.
Jean Slater returns clothes to Stacey and confesses that she doesn't want any part in Phil's missing money.
After an incident with Arthur, Kush suggests to Stacey they put the past behind them but Stacey is having none of it. Later, Martin admits that him and Kush have managed to sort things out.
Stacey is annoyed with her husband and snaps at his suggestion to make amends with Kat. Both Martin and Jean are left feeling concerned when she refuses..
Elsewhere, Phil's suspicions grow when he sees Stacey with a brand-new phone. He asks Shirley to help find out if the Slaters have his money – if she succeeds he'll even give her a cut.
When Shirley spots Ben returning to the Square after an all-nighter, she warns Phil about his son's behaviour. After speaking to Lola and Keanu about it, Phil takes drastic action.
After another all-nighter Phil grows tired of Ben's irresponsible behaviour and a concerned Lola Pearce forces Ben to reveal what's going on. Despite Lola's support, Ben sees two men sneering at him and after Lola leaves, he antagonises them and they soon get into a fight outside….
Meanwhile, Shirley's suspicions pique when she sees Jean with new clothes. At the hospital, Jean opens up to her pal and hints that the Slater fall out is a result of money.
Before Shirley tells Phil the new information she makes him another offer…
The Slater family are horrified when Shirley reveals that Phil knows they have his money and have until the end of the day to give it all back.
Despite Jean pleading with Stacey to give the money back, Kat and Mo refuse to hand it over leaving Shirley frustrated.
Sharen attends her midwife appointment with Phil and as they discuss her pregnancy she tries to cover the fact that she's already had blood taken…
Back at home as she prepares to send off the paternity test Sharon is interrupted by Louise who feels a lot of pressure trying to hide her pregnancy at school.
Kathy is touched when Bobby Beale offers her some advice about the bar. Following all the drama with Rainie running away with baby Abi, she suggests to Ian that they should go to the police even if that means social services have to get involved.
Ian asks his mum for some time to think about it – what will he do? And how will the Branning brothers react?
Max continues to grow desperate to get baby Abi back and once again tries to contact Rainie but when she hangs the phone up, he fears he's lost his granddaughter for good.
Max begins to crumble under pressure but hope is found when Jack looks at a picture Rainie has sent and realises he has seen the hotel logo before…
Over at the hotel, Rainie begins to live her best life after stealing the money and it's not long before she meets another guest at the hotel – Michael – who offers to help out with baby Abi.
Michael spots Rainie's bag is full of cash and invites her out for a drink but she gently lets him down and goes back to the hotel. When she prepares to check-out she spots Jack and Max arriving and quickly rushes back upstairs.
Max and Jack are confused when Michael answers the doors and denies knowing anything which leads to Rainie thanking him. Things take a weird turn when Rainie goes to leave the hotel but realises all of her money has been taken…
When Kathy Beale spots a tense exchange between Ian Beale and Max she is quick to question her son and he's forced to confess all to her about Rainie leaving the Square.
Elsewhere Jack is touched when Denise Fox offers him some advice about his money troubles and he ends up asking Adam Bateman if he can exchange on the flat this week.
While Adam contemplates the decision, Jack sees Habiba half-dressed in the background... After Jack leaves, Adam scolds Habiba but has their affair been discovered?
Jack's day gets even worse when his police pal Muski reveals that his name has come up in an investigation – he attacked Fraser.
When Tiffany Butcher discovers Muski paid a visit to the Square, Jack reveals all and tells her what really happened. Max overhears their conversation and it soon becomes clear to him that his brother is in trouble.
A desperate Jack asks Denise to fake an alibi for him but when her doesn't reveal the reason behind the attack – Fraser abused Tiffany - she storms off.
Following a conversation with Kush Kazemi, Denise takes his advice and agrees to help Jack but when he still doesn't tell her why he needs an alibi, she decides to end their relationship. Tiff is left feeling even more guilty.
After a heart-to-heart with Tiffany, Jack returns home and tells Max the police are on their way. Max thinks on his feet and suggests that Jack should go into hiding.
Meanwhile, Rainie goes to desperate lengths to escape the hotel without paying. Kathy shares some heated words with Max about him not calling the police.
As baby Abi has gone missing, Max struggles to hold things together and turns up to work drunk.
Rainie, who is now desperate and homeless, asks Stuart for help. When Stuart bumps into Max in the Square, he hides the fact that Rainie has been in touch and rushes to go and find her.
Rainie goes to desperate lengths to earn money for herself and baby Abi but when things begin to turn dangerous, Stuart arrives just in time to save the day.
Stuart tries his best to help Rainie but he's stunned when she thinks of a dangerous money-making scheme, eager to protect her he decides to go along with it.
Feeling guilty, Tiffany talks to Denise about Jack and praises her uncle – but will it be enough for Denise to forgive and forget?
Meanwhile, Chantelle Taylor tries to talk to Keegan Baker about his feelings for Tiffany but he insists she's messed him around too much.
As Keegan opens up about his career to his brother in law, Gray suggests that he joins him for a day in the office.
Over at The Prince Albert, Karen Taylor bumps into Caren who buys her a drink and it's not long before the two begins to chat.
Soon after Tina points out to Karen that it's clear Caren was flirting with her. Later on, Karen is floored when Caren invites her on a date – but what will she do?
Over to the Slater household things continue to be tense following Kat Moon and Stacey Fowler's falling out. Mo enlists Robbie Fowler's help with cleaning at the club but Mel Owen is less than impressed.
Jean Slater returns clothes to Stacey and confesses that she doesn't want any part in Phil's missing money.
After an incident with Arthur, Kush suggests to Stacey they put the past behind them but Stacey is having none of it. Later, Martin admits that him and Kush have managed to sort things out.
Stacey is annoyed with her husband and snaps at his suggestion to make amends with Kat. Both Martin and Jean are left feeling concerned when she refuses..
Elsewhere, Phil's suspicions grow when he sees Stacey with a brand-new phone. He asks Shirley to help find out if the Slaters have his money – if she succeeds he'll even give her a cut.
When Shirley spots Ben returning to the Square after an all-nighter, she warns Phil about his son's behaviour. After speaking to Lola and Keanu about it, Phil takes drastic action.
After another all-nighter Phil grows tired of Ben's irresponsible behaviour and a concerned Lola Pearce forces Ben to reveal what's going on. Despite Lola's support, Ben sees two men sneering at him and after Lola leaves, he antagonises them and they soon get into a fight outside….
Meanwhile, Shirley's suspicions pique when she sees Jean with new clothes. At the hospital, Jean opens up to her pal and hints that the Slater fall out is a result of money.
Before Shirley tells Phil the new information she makes him another offer…
The Slater family are horrified when Shirley reveals that Phil knows they have his money and have until the end of the day to give it all back.
Despite Jean pleading with Stacey to give the money back, Kat and Mo refuse to hand it over leaving Shirley frustrated.
Sharen attends her midwife appointment with Phil and as they discuss her pregnancy she tries to cover the fact that she's already had blood taken…
Back at home as she prepares to send off the paternity test Sharon is interrupted by Louise who feels a lot of pressure trying to hide her pregnancy at school.
Kathy is touched when Bobby Beale offers her some advice about the bar. Following all the drama with Rainie running away with baby Abi, she suggests to Ian that they should go to the police even if that means social services have to get involved.
Ian asks his mum for some time to think about it – what will he do? And how will the Branning brothers react?
Jon Sen, Executive Producer, said, "We are extremely grateful to Tamzin for reviving the character of Mel Owen back in 2017, allowing EastEnders fans the chance to see one of Walford’s most popular characters take centre stage once more.
"Tamzin is an incredible talent who has set our screens on fire with her wonderful performances in some of our most iconic storylines. We wish her the best of luck for the future."
EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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