Tamzin Outhwaite Vows to ‘Date Herself’ at 55: EastEnders Star Gets Candid on Split and Men Her Own Age
By Entertainment Desk | London Updated: 1 February 2026 – 11:30 GMT
Tamzin Outhwaite is trending across the UK today, but this time it isn’t for a dramatic soap storyline. The 55-year-old acting powerhouse has won over fans with her refreshingly honest take on life after love, vowing to avoid the “risks” of past relationships and focusing on a new “love affair” with herself.
Following her split from filmmaker Tom Child, her partner of over six years, who was 20 years her junior, the EastEnders icon has opened up about why she is embracing single life and why men in their 50s just aren’t cutting it.
“A Love Affair with Myself”
Speaking on a recent episode of HELLO!‘s Second Act podcast, Outhwaite delivered a masterclass in self-empowerment.
“It took me a long time to start having a love affair with myself instead of another man,” she admitted. The actress, known for her roles in The Tower and Death in Paradise, explained that she is no longer looking for a partner to “complete” her. Instead, she is prioritising friendship, self-discovery, and her two daughters, Flo and Marnie.
The “Men in Their 50s” Swipe
In a moment that has already gone viral on social media, Tamzin humorously explained why she has previously gravitated towards younger men (having also been married to Lucifer star Tom Ellis).
“I haven’t met any men in their 50s who really look after themselves yet,” she joked, sparking a debate on X (formerly Twitter) about dating standards in midlife. Her candidness has resonated with women nationwide who are tired of settling.
What’s Next for Tamzin?
Fans can catch Tamzin discussing her career and this new chapter on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, which airs today (1 February).
Professionally, she remains as busy as ever. With recent credits in The Wives and Silent Witness, Outhwaite proves that whether she is single or taken, she remains a leading lady in every sense of the word.
