Yahoo News Tamzin Outhwaite opens up about her EastEnders return
2018 will bring the return of an iconic EastEnders character to Albert Square, as Tamzin Outhwaite is stepping back into Mel Owen's shoes after nearly 16 years away from the BBC soap.
Tamzin appeared in EastEnders between 1998 and 2008, back when the Slater sisters loomed large and Steve Owen was the shadiest guy in town.
After a foot injury made Tamzin rethink her stage career, Tamzin was soon-after asked to come back to Walford as Mel Owen.
A post shared by Tamzin Outhwaite. (@glamzin) on Oct 27, 2017 at 10:10am PDT
"When I was asked to go back to EastEnders, I asked my eldest daughter what I should do and she said, 'Can you get home every night?' I replied that I could, so she said, 'Well, do it.' That clinched it."
'To be stepping back into Mel's shoes nearly 20 years after I first started feels perfect," she told The Daily Mail's You Magazine. "I'm very happy to be back. It has brought back many happy memories."
It might have been two decades, but many of the same cast of EastEnders are still wandering E20 – Ian Beale, Phil Mitchell, Sharon Mitchell and Louise Mitchell, the daughter of Mel's best friend Lisa Fowler, to name a few names Mel might get tied up with in the coming months.
"Many of the original team are still here so it's good to be among friends," Tamzin continued.
Tamzin's return was revealed last month, part of her old boss John Yorke's new role as creative director. Despite taking some time away from acting (her recent roles included New Tricks and Out of Control) to focus on her two children, she's excited to return to her much-loved role.
She explained: "When I got the call from John asking if I would consider coming back to EastEnders, it was something I just couldn't refuse. John created Mel's most memorable storylines so it is an honour that he has asked me to return.
"EastEnders is in my DNA and I always knew deep down that someday I would revisit Mel. She is a strong independent woman with lots more stories to tell."
Tamzin will make her on-screen return as Mel Owen in 2018, having already started filming scenes for her comeback.
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