Yahoo News EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite films Mel Owen's exit
EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite has officially wrapped filming on her time as Mel Owen.
The actress confirmed back in July that she would be leaving the role later this year after returning to the soap in early 2018, and now Tamzin has confirmed that she has reached "the end of an era" after completing work on her final scenes for the BBC soap.
"So that's it! The end of an era... for me at least," she wrote on Twitter on Saturday (September 7). "Melanie Healy/Beale/Owen has left the building..."
Related: EastEnders big week review – does the long-running show finally have its buzz back?
She also added: "It's been a pleasure, a privilege and a 21 year association with a family I will cherish forever and never forget.... TIL next time my beautiful cast and crew... you all rock."
In follow-up tweets in response to some of her co-workers who commented on the post, Tamzin shared that she had a "lovely" last day, complete with a speech from EastEnders Series Production Manager Rona McKendrick that left them both in tears.
"Ahhh Richard... 'twas a lovely last day," she replied to soap director Richard Lynn. "Had most of my favourite people at work, on a Saturday, apart from @RealScottMaslen who was fishing of course...
"[McKendrick] did a speech, she didn't cry at all, and neither did I!"
Ahhh Richard... ‘‘twas a lovely last day... had most of my favourite people at work, on a Saturday, apart from @RealScottMaslen who was fishing of course... @McLuckluck did a speech, she didn’t cry at all, and neither did I! 😭😭😭
— tamzin outhwaite (@mouthwaite) September 8, 2019
Several of her co-stars also commented on the tweet, with Jack Branning actor Scott Maslen replying: "We will have a celebration don't you worry about that!!! It's been an absolute pleasure working with you I've had such fun!!! And made a new friend.
"Well done Tamzin you're a legend."
Lucy Benjamin, who'll be returning as Lisa Fowler in upcoming scenes, also reacted, writing: "You are amazing my darling. Today was just the end of another chapter! And I will see you very soon on the outside."
You are amazing my darling. Today was just the end of another chapter! And I will see you very soon on the outside. 💝💝💝
— Lucy Benjamin (@Lucy_Benjamin) September 7, 2019
Tamzin reprised her role as Mel in early 2018 after sixteen years away, and her exit scenes are expected to air later this year on the BBC One soap.
The news comes after this week's dramatic episodes of EastEnders ended with Mel's teenage son Hunter (Charlie Winter) being killed off when he was gunned down by the police
Hunter had been holding a number of the Square's residents hostage in The Vic, hellbent on getting revenge on Jack, but after shooting Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and dragging a terrified and pregnant Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper) outside, he was killed by the police to prevent him hurting anyone else.
The last time viewers saw Mel she was heartbroken and holding her lifeless son – but what's next for Mel before she departs the Square?
EastEnders continues on Monday, September 9 at 8pm on BBC One.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
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