Tamzin Outhwaite has shared her journey of coming to terms with her son being transgender, revealing the challenges she faced initially. The actress, known for her role in EastEnders, opened up about this deeply personal experience on a podcast, highlighting the emotional growth she and her family have undergone.
Outhwaite, 55, spoke about her 17-year-old son Flo, who began identifying as a boy at the age of 10. She mentioned that while she had two daughters, she now has a son and a daughter, which was an adjustment for her. “It’s been a long journey, a very long journey, but we’re in a great place now,” she said, reflecting on their experiences.
The Red Cap actor, who shares Flo with Tom Ellis from Lucifer, admitted that she usually isn’t allowed to talk in depth about her son. However, she was given special permission to discuss it on the Parenting Hell podcast, which is one of Flo’s favorites.
In July 2025, Outhwaite revealed that she initially found the idea of Flo coming out as transgender “ludicrous.” However, after undergoing therapy and discussing the matter with her family, she found acceptance. “Until you’re going through it yourself with your child, it’s difficult to judge the situation,” she told the podcast hosts.
She emphasized the importance of talking through the issues, engaging in family therapy, and seeking outside help. “We worked together as a family and with outside help,” she added. Despite the initial distress, she is now overjoyed that Flo is happy and thriving.
One of the most surprising aspects for Outhwaite is that Flo’s gender identity is 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,” she said. “To see him thriving is just nothing but relief and joy for me, really. Because there were some dark times.”
Outhwaite is best known for her role as Melanie Owen in the BBC soap EastEnders. She first appeared on the show from 1998 to 2002 and made a brief return from 2018 to 2019. Her other notable roles include dramas such as New Tricks and Hotel Babylon.
She was married to Tom Ellis from 2006 to 2014 and was in a relationship with Tom Child from 2018 to 2024. She remains close friends with Child.
