For many parents, navigating the teenage years comes with its fair share of challenges.
But for actress Tamzin Outhwaite, it’s been a journey filled with personal growth, deep family conversations, and ultimately—love, understanding, and pride.
The former EastEnders star recently opened up for the first time about her eldest child being transgender during a heartfelt interview on the Parenting Hell podcast, hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe.
From Two Daughters to a Son and a Daughter
Tamzin, 54, is mum to 17-year-old Florence—who now goes by Flo—and 12-year-old Marnie, from her marriage to actor Tom Ellis, whom she split from in 2014.
“I used to say I had two daughters,” she shared. “Now, I have a son and a daughter.
That’s easy for me to say now, but it wasn’t always like that—especially not six or seven years ago.”
This is the first time Tamzin has spoken publicly about Flo’s identity, although she revealed that he came out as transgender around the age of 10 or 11.
“It’s Not the Most Interesting Thing About Him”
Despite the emotional weight such a revelation might carry, Tamzin focused on the bigger picture: who Flo is as a person.
“The craziest part is—it’s not even the most interesting thing about him.
He’s incredibly smart, so funny, and very talented. Watching him grow up into this wonderful human being fills me with so much joy and relief.”
But Tamzin didn’t sugarcoat the early days of Flo’s transition.
She described that time as “very distressing,” admitting that, like many parents, she initially struggled to process what her child was telling her.
From Doubt to Acceptance Through Support and Therapy
Tamzin admitted her first inner reaction was disbelief.
“I didn’t say it out loud, but my brain went straight to: ‘That’s ridiculous,’” she said candidly.
But over time, through family talks, therapy sessions—for both Flo and the whole family—and plenty of learning, Tamzin says they worked through it together.
“You can’t push back too hard,” she explained. “If you do, kids will naturally want to rebel.
It was tough, but with outside help, we found our way.”
Parenting in the Spotlight During a Public Debate
With the topic of trans rights and identities increasingly debated in the media, Tamzin acknowledged the timing of her family’s experience.
“It’s a hot topic these days,” she noted.
“And it’s not easy. The LGBTQ+ community gets a hard time.”
She added that while people often think this issue affects a large portion of society, “it’s actually less than one percent of the population. There’s a lot of noise for something that’s not very common.”
Flo’s Big Dreams and Bright Talent
What brings her the most pride? Seeing Flo thrive.
“He’s a fantastic actor and dreams of being a comedy writer,” Tamzin said with a smile in her voice.
“And I was only allowed to talk about all of this because he said it was okay for me to do so on this podcast.”
Embracing the Teenage Years with Open Arms
When Rob asked how it feels to now parent teenagers instead of little ones, Tamzin reflected on the fleeting nature of time.
“I’d say we’ve grown even closer in the past few years,” she said.
“There’s this phase right before they leave the nest when everything gets a bit more emotional.
I’m so aware of how many summers we’ve got left, how many holidays. It makes you want to hold on a little tighter.”
A Modern Family That Still Sticks Together
Tamzin also spoke warmly about her ex-boyfriend of six years, Tom Child, who she says remains her “best mate” despite their romantic split over a year ago.
He’s still a big part of the family’s day-to-day life and was fully present throughout Flo’s transition.
“He’s been there through it all—from Flo’s early days of transitioning to Marnie discovering herself and boys and growing up.
He’s still part of the family.”
Tamzin laughed while sharing how her kids tease Tom: “They always ask him, ‘When you meet someone new, how are you going to explain all of this to your new girlfriend?’”
A Story Rooted in Love, Growth, and Acceptance
Tamzin’s candid conversation is a powerful reminder that family is about showing up for each other—even through the toughest transitions.
Her honesty, vulnerability, and pride in her son shine through as a beautiful message for any parent navigating unfamiliar territory.