Outhwaite: 'No shame in Walford return'

Tamzin Outhwaite has insisted that she would not feel embarrassed if she ever decided to return to EastEnders.

The 39-year-old actress bowed out of her role as Melanie Owen on the Walford soap in 2002 to pursue new projects. She has since gone on to appear in a number of other TV dramas, including Red Cap, Hustle and Hotel Babylon.

Speaking to DS about whether she would play Melanie again, Outhwaite commented: "I wouldn't consider it at the moment, but I don't consider it a failure to go back. I think that what those people do is pretty outstanding."

On her character's current location, she said: "Apparently she's in Portugal with her dead husband's baby, who must be about 8 years old. So I've got an 8-year-old child, living in Portugal. God only knows what she's up to!"

Meanwhile, Outhwaite also expressed confusion over the recent decision to recruit Danniella Westbrook to reprise the part of Sam Mitchell rather than actress Kim Medcalf, who took over the role from 2002 to 2005.

She asked: "There's nothing wrong with Kim, so why was Kim not asked back?"