She’s in the midst of a blissfully happy relationship with a notably younger man, but Tamzin Outhwaite has laughed off any suggestion that she is a cougar.
The 49-year old actress, who celebrates her milestone 50th birthday in November, embarked on a relationship with personal trainer Tom Child two-and-a-half years ago.
But she has defended their 21-year-age difference – Tom is just 29 – by revealing they both wanted long-term commitment, and insists age should not be a barrier to genuine happiness.
Smitten: Tamzin Outhwaite, 49, has defended her two-and-a-half year relationship with 29-year old personal trainer Tom Child
She told the Guardian’s G2: ‘A woman being very sure of what she wants or what she is in her life doesn’t make her a cougar, because there are two people involved in this relationship.
‘Not all men want younger women, that’s another thing. When you find someone you connect with, what, because you’re different ages you shouldn’t do that?’
Tamzin’s relationship with Tom began some three years after a difficult divorce from actor Tom Ellis, with whom she shares children Florence, 11, and Marnie Mae, seven, in 2014.
Opening up: ‘Not all men want younger women, that’s another thing… when you find someone you connect with, what, because you’re different ages you shouldn’t do that?’ she said
But while they made an immediate connection with one another, the actress admits she did consider the implications that come with dating a younger man while living in the public eye, and whether or not they could withstand the inevitable media scrutiny that followed.
‘We have thought about this, we have talked about this,’ she said. ‘At the beginning you think: “Can we do this?” But the minute we became official and thought we’re all right with it, then no one else’s opinions matter, apart from my children.’
Tamzin’s admission comes after she heaped praise on her partner as they adhere to strict social distancing measures by remaining behind closed doors during the coronavirs health crisis.
Old times: Tamzin’s relationship with Tom began after a difficult divorce from actor Tom Ellis, with whom she shares children Florence, 11, and Marnie Mae, seven, in 2014 (pictured during her second pregnancy in 2012)
Support: Tamzin recently heaped praise on her partner as they adhere to strict social distancing measures by remaining behind closed doors during the coronavirs health crisis
Taking to Instagram she credited him for being a positive influence by helping her children with their education while assisting Tamzin with scenes for her new comedy-drama series Dun Breedin’.
She wrote: ‘This man by my side has cleaned, done home schooling, fed the dog, done the shopping, been my sound engineer, my whole crew for @dun.breedin, acted in this passion project, made me laugh, cooked, and kept our spirits up… EVERY SINGLE DAY!
‘Perfect quarantine crew along with the kids. @tc_childie love you.’
Familiar face: Tamzin is best known for her role as Mel Owen in BBC soap EastEnders, a character she played intermittently for 21-years before leaving the show in 2019
The actress recently expressed her fears that a number of romantic relationships may not go the distance as couples isolate together during the ongoing pandemic.
Tazmin – who went into isolation with Tom on March 16 after the couple displayed symptoms – believes the crisis will prove to be a testing time for many relationships as people spend months locked in together.
She told The Mirror: ‘You do wonder when people come out of lockdown how many people will go, “That’s not for me.” Or if others will propose and think, “If I can do that, I know I can be with you forever.'”‘