Tamzin Outhwaite has opened up about her children’s relationship with their father Tom Ellis, who she says is ‘in and out of their lives’.
The actress, 54, shares children Flo, 17, who she revealed is transgender, and Marnie, 12, with fellow actor Tom, 46, who is best known for starring on fantasy series Lucifer.
The former couple married in 2006 but split in 2013 after he reportedly confessed to an affair with Australian actress Emilie de Ravin, best known for starring in Lost.
Appearing on the Parenting Hell podcast, Tamzin was asked by co-host Josh Widdicombe: ‘Didn’t you separate from the kids’ father about 10 years ago?’
‘Yeah, it was literally when the kids were tiny,’ she replied. ‘Marnie was not even one.’
Tamzin Outhwaite has opened up about her children’s relationship with their father Tom Ellis, who she says is ‘in and out of their lives’ (pictured together in 2012)
The actress, 54, shares children Flo, 17, (right) and Marnie, 12, (centre) with actor Tom, 46
‘That must’ve been tough,’ fellow host Rob Beckett said.
‘Yeah of course, but he lives in LA,’ Tamzin said. ‘So he’s pretty in and out of their lives, but they have a lot of support and people that have been around.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives of Tom Ellis for comment.
In 2023, Tamzin claimed she was still uncovering ‘more infidelities and lies that he committed’ ten years on from their split.
In a now deleted tweet, she wrote: ‘Ten years since the father of my kids walked out on us for the final time. I still meet new people on jobs who reveal more infidelities and lies that he committed.
‘But thankfully my heart and soul are clear and clean and I could not be happier right now.’
Tamzin told her followers she marked the decade since her marriage broke down because she felt a ‘feeling of triumph and pride’ having made it through her heartache.
She said: ‘Thank you all for your messages re my now deleted tweet. I was marking the 10 year anniversary with pride, a feeling of triumph & genuine gratitude.
‘I understand it has triggered some people. For anyone struggling, the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself.’
‘He lives in LA,’ Tamzin said. ‘So he’s pretty in and out of their lives, but they have a lot of support and people that have been around’ (pictured in 2012)
In 2023, Tamzin claimed she was still uncovering ‘more infidelities and lies that he committed’ ten years on from their split
Tamzin had been introduced to Tom in 2005 by his old friend, the actor James McAvoy, who was appearing on stage with the actress.
After nine years of marriage, they were granted a quick divorce in 2014 – leaving Tamzin heartbroken.
He married screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer, who is the creator of Facebook Watch comedy Queen America, in 2019.
Tamzin was in a six-year relationship with director Tom Child, however they have since broken up. However, she describes him as her ‘best mate’ and says he is regularly in and out of the house.
Elsewhere during the podcast interview, Tamzin discussed her child Flo coming out as transgender when he was ‘about 10 or 11’.
‘I’ve got two kids. I did have two daughters and now I have a son and a daughter,’ she said. ‘That’s quite easy for me to say now, but it wasn’t maybe six or seven years ago.’
‘The maddest thing is I suppose that it’s not the most interesting thing about him,’ she said. ‘He’s an incredibly funny intelligent boy, and I’m watching him grow into a wonderful human who’s very talented.
‘To see him thriving is just nothing but relief and joy for me really because there were some dark times.’
Tamzin recalled the period when Flo first came out as trans, which she remembers as a ‘very distressing time’.
In a now deleted tweet, Tamzin wrote: I still meet new people on jobs who reveal more infidelities and lies that he committed’
The former couple married in 2006 but split in 2013 after he reportedly confessed to an affair with Australian actress Emilie de Ravin, best known for starring in Lost
‘Until you’re going through it yourself with your child, it’s difficult to judge the situation,’ she said.
‘Initially, I would say, don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t say don’t be ridiculous but my mind went, “that’s ludicrous”.
‘Working back from that with talking, family therapy, therapy on Flo’s side as well, talking with family and realising you’re not alone.
‘I think if you push back on a kid, they’ll want to do the opposite of what their parent says. I didn’t say “you can’t be that”, but it was a distressing time. We worked together as a family and with outside help.’
Rob Beckett said: ‘You can’t do everything to make them happy. It’s in them and there’s other things at play. Having to let things take their course…’
‘Yeah,’ Tamzin responded. ‘Time and action, but also being sensitive and, you know…. The whole LGBT community get a bit of a hard rap at the moment – it’s quite tough, I think. It is a hot topic.’
Josh said: ‘it’s almost like you’ve been in sync with that topic becoming a public debate,’ referring to the prominent discussion of trans issues in the media.
‘Kind of, yeah. Every situation is completely different, every child is different,’ Tamzin said. ‘It really is less than one per cent of the population.
‘There’s this big up in arms thing. It’s not that common, just because…. But I’m just so happy for him.
‘I’m happy that we’re in a place and he’s in a place that he is just…. I mean, he’s an incredible actor. He’s desperate to be a comedy writer. I was only allowed to talk about it on this podcast.’
