Tamzin Outhwaite and daughter, 10, denied entry to India
EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite has told how a half-term trip with her daughter ended in tears when they were refused entry to India and sent packing from their yoga holiday.
Tamzin, who plays Mel Owen in the BBC soap, was travelling to a mother-daughter bonding trip at a yoga retreat in Goa with her 10-year-old Florence, but the pair didn’t even get to leave the airport before being sent on the next flight back to the UK.
She said that Florence had been terrified they would be separated at Goa airport because of a visa issue that cropped up with the actress’s passport.
Outhwaite tweeted the saga as it unfolded…
1/1 My 10 yr old and I have just been refused entry into India due to my visa , which was still valid, but apparently a passport stamp in Mumbai to get a connaecting flight to London at new year , counts as entry.
We both sat crying in immigration at Goa airport but …— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
2/2 … nobody died and after another 9 hr flight we are back in Blighty!
Only having one week for a mother/daughter healing holiday after a difficult year means we are now looking for a new trip. It won’t be a family yoga retreat but a bonding trip will suffice .— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
3/3 I feel very proud of my daughter , who cried , as I did, but was mostly worried that we may be separated like families in the U.S , as her visawasvalid but mine not. Fortunately we are home. I’m a country I feel lucky and proud to live in. #backgammontimes #scarybuthome
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
4/4 please excuse previous spelling and grammar mistakes. Jaded, jet lag and just exhausted!
If anyone knows of any last min trips ??? All suggestions welcome. (Not India)— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
Luckily for Outhwaite and her daughter, she said that they had been surrounded by helpful fellow passengers who offered sympathy, tissues, and alternative holiday suggestions.
She shared that they were still looking out for somewhere to enjoy a half-term break, and that having time to spend just the two of them was high on their agenda.
Also I must stress that the cabin crew on @TUIUK were just wonderful… as were strangers who handed my daughter and I tissues. #thekindnessofstrangers
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
Outhwaite added that big-hearted daughter Florence had been hoping to give out suitcases full of her old clothes to families in need of them after having seen her videos of her mum doing the same thing on a previous trip.
The mad thing is , we had full suitcases of clothes that Flo was determined to give to the children on the streets, in slums & on beaches, homeless… she saw videos of us in Mumbai doing it. We have come home with it all!! Next time xxx https://t.co/zQx3nowHEg
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
It wasn’t long before Outhwaite’s famous friends, including former EastEnders co-star Lucy Benjamin and TV presenter Dawn O’Porter, started rallying round with suggestions for how they could help save half-term for Florence.
I offered up LA as many family members are there right now but she is adamant it’s a mother/daughter bonding trip… thank you Dawn you sweetie @hotpatooties xx https://t.co/CUqrWdJPNM
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
Thanks Matthew , sounds great but after 19 hours in the air , may need somewhere a little closer. 😘 https://t.co/4uNixDFQ6k
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
I know… poor Flo. But I told her, one day we will laugh about it. *frantically searching the internet for late, last, last min deals* 😘 https://t.co/nNiSH09iX8
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
Gaby Roslin sent her commiserations too over the holiday disaster that saw them spend 19 hours in the air for a round trip.
Just seen your tweets. Oh my word I am so sorry. What a wonderful girl you have to cope with all that. Sending big love and hugs 🤗
— Gaby Roslin (@GabyRoslin) February 17, 2019
O’Porter also suggested Guernsey, and Outhwaite’s other followers added ideas for holidays in locations ranging from a UK caravan park to Malaysia, Iceland and the Canaries – so if you’re going away this half-term, look out for a familiar face who might be making a last-minute booking.
Although the pair didn’t seem to have found their perfect trip yet, they were feeling much better for being back in their own beds.
Thank you all for your messages. We are back in our beds tucked up and pretty happy to be home ❤️
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) February 17, 2019
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