Tamzin Outhwaite has a painful reason behind her return to EastEnders
She will appear on screen in the New Year
Last updated 26th Oct 2017
Earlier this week it was announced that EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite will be returning to the soap after a break of nearly 16 years, however there is a painful reason for her decision to return.
Since leaving the show in 2002, she has appeared in a number of TV shows, including Hotel Babylon and New Tricks, but more recently she has been performing in London's West End. The 46-year-old actress has been treading the boards of shows such as Stepping Out and Sweet Charity.
Seven months ago Tamzin had to pull out of Stepping Out which she had been starring in alongside Amanda Holden, after suffering a stress fracture on her metatarsal, and it is still healing.
Speaking to The Mirror Tamzin said, "I've just done a couple of years of theatre, which I love, but now it's time to do some telly."
She went on to say another reason for her decision was her two young daughters.
"I spent a year on Sweet Charity the musical, but Flo was teething," she explained. "She would be up every night and I was doing eight shows a week. I thought, maybe I can't do this any more."
In EastEnders Tamzin will be reprising her previous role of Melanie Owen and will begin filming in the next few weeks, making an appearance on screen in the New Year.
There have been a lot of changes to EastEnders since the show's new creative director John Yorke started earlier this year. Last month it was announced that on-screen sisters Lauren and Abi Branning will leave the show much to fans' disappointment.
Meanwhile this week a former S Club 7 star has also been confirmed as a new addition to the soap's cast.
EastEnders continues on weekday evenings.
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