Tamzin Outhwaite celebrates trans son’s journey: ‘watching him thrive is pure joy’

EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite has spoken candidly about the emotional, years‑long process of accepting her eldest child’s transition, describing it as a “very long journey” marked by distress, soul‑searching and ultimately joy.

The actress, 55, reflected on her experience in a recent interview in which she discussed how her son, Flo, now 17, first began identifying as a boy at the age of ten. Outhwaite previously shared the news on the Parenting Hell podcast hosted by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, revealing that she had initially struggled to process the change.  

Outhwaite admitted that adjusting to her son's transition took time, explaining that what feels natural to say today was far more difficult six or seven years ago. Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “It’s been a long journey, a very long journey, but we’re in a great place now. I’m just happy that he’s happy… he’s thriving, absolutely thriving.”

The Red Cap and former EastEnders actor - who shares Flo with her ex‑husband,  Lucifer star Tom Ellis - added that she typically avoids discussing her children publicly but made an exception because Parenting Hell is Flo’s favourite podcast.

Outhwaite has been frank about her early reaction to Flo coming out as trans, a feeling she now regrets. It was only through therapy, family conversations and professional support that she began to understand and accept what her son was going through.

She explained: “Until you’re going through it yourself with your child, it’s difficult to judge the situation… We worked together as a family and with outside help.”

These reflections echo comments she made earlier in July 2025, when she recalled the process of “working back” from her initial disbelief to a place of clarity and compassion.  

Despite the challenges, Outhwaite emphasised that Flo’s gender identity is far from the most important or interesting thing about him: “He’s an incredibly funny, intelligent boy… to see him thriving is nothing but relief and joy for me, really. Because there were some dark times.”

Outhwaite highlighted how proud she is of the young man her son is becoming, and how grateful she feels to have reached such a positive point as a family.

Tamzin Outhwaite remains best known for her role as Melanie Owen in EastEnders, appearing between 1998 and 2002, and again from 2018 to 2019. Her acting credits also include New Tricks, Hotel Babylon and Red Cap. She was married to Tom Ellis from 2006 until their divorce in 2014 and later had a long‑term relationship with Tom Child, which ended in 2024.