FEATURES...FEATURES...FEATURES...FEATURES...FEATURES...

MUM-TO-BE TAMZIN OUTHWAITE IS DOWNING SPAGHETTI AND NESTING FURIOUSLY AS SHE PREPARES FOR THE ARRIVAL OF HER FIRST BABY

By Polly Graham

It's no wonder actress Tamzin Outhwaite keeps getting the urge to pinch herself.

After marrying handsome actor Tom Ellis then becoming pregnant in seemingly whirlwind time, she can't believe her good fortune.

“I’ve never been happier,” beams the 37-year-old ex-EastEnders actress.

“We’re not sure of the definite dates yet, but we’re both so excited.”

“I’m too scared to buy the buggy or the cot until I know it’s healthy and everything is fine.

"On the upside, I can’t wait until the baby’s here.”

She knows husband Tom, 29, who played dishy Dr Oliver Cousins in EastEnders, will make a good father.

In fact, Tom and his two-year-old daughter from a previous relationship are dancing together in the studio where Tamzin’s posing for the Fabulous photo shoot.

Tamzin’s getting used to pregnancy cravings and the changes they’ve meant to her usually healthy diet.

“I crave a lot of carbs. Last night I had spaghetti hoops on toast with cheese – something I’d never normally eat,” she says, chomping on Worcester Sauce crisps.

“I used to love steamed fish and veg and was training quite a lot when I discovered I was pregnant.

"I felt quite fit at the beginning of the pregnancy, but a few biscuits and loaves of bread later and not doing any exercise, and you notice the difference.

"You soon feel a bit flabby,” she explains.

But Tamzin refuses to worry about putting on weight.

“My body’s not something I’m overly concerned about at the minute because Tom seems to think I am still very sexy.”

She married him nine months into their relationship after he proposed, on her November 5 birthday two years ago, with a firework display which said: “Marry me.”

The couple were introduced by Tom’s close friend, Atonement star James McAvoy, after he worked in theatre with Tamzin three years ago.

“I was 34 when we met and I’d resigned myself that I might have to settle for somebody who wasn’t perfect.

"It took a lot longer to find my ideal man than I thought.”

Tom is eight years younger than Tamzin, but they say the age gap’s irrelevant.

“It doesn’t worry me because he’s always seemed like the more mature one.

"He’s a very grounded human being,” she says.

Since quitting EastEnders in 2002, Tamzin’s become one of the biggest names in TV with leading roles in Red Cap and Hotel Babylon.

In forthcoming drama The Fixer, she plays disgraced former undercover cop Rose, who gets together with a deep-thinking hit man.

“She’s the only woman in the team and gets to do jobs where she has to use her femininity,” says Tamzin.

“There are some seriously sexy scenes and it was terrifying having to strip off, but I love the character – she gets the jobs the men can’t do.

“The Fixer definitely comes under that ‘couldn’t say no’ category.

"It’s made by the same team behind Spooks and Life On Mars – both edgy but ratings-winning shows.”

Tom has just finished filming ITV1’s new medical drama, Harley Street, with ex-Corrie actress Suranne Jones, so for a while the pair are not worrying about work.

Glancing over at her husband, Tamzin smiles and says: “Neither of us are tied to anything at the moment which is nice, because we’re enjoying this time.”

The Fixer is on ITV1 on March 10

 

Credits

Photography: Chris Terry, Goffinf.com Hair: Shica at Michael John Make-Up: Bethan Sian Owen Styling: Charlotte Kewley at Minx