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Checking out:Tamzin's character

Rhoda is desperateto leave the "

supermarket andchange her life

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TamzinOuthwaite leaves behind her golden-girlimage to take on a gritty role - but says it was worth it

Since leaving EastEndersfour years ago,TarnzinOuthwaite has seen hercareer take off,most

recently appearing as RebeccaMitchell, a vision in designer suitsand stilettos, in BBCI's glitzydrama Hotel Babylon.

Now she's had to say goodbye tothe glamorous wardrobe for herlatest role as Rhoda, a busy motherof three and supermarket worker,in new drama series Vital Signs.

For Tarnzin, though, the worsething was losing her trademarkblonde locks. 'My hair is brown,'she groans, 'I'm looking the worstthat I have ever looked!'

Rhoda is unhappy with her lot,but unsure of how to change it. Anemergency visit to hospital withher daughter remedies that,awakening as it does a burningambition to become a doctor.

It's all a little far-fetched, but theactress says she can understandRhoda's dream. 'I reckon it's oneof those things that some womenask themselves at a certain age,'explains Tarnzin. 'Rhoda thinks,'~I going to be just a wife anda mother, or am I allowed to dosomething more?'"

Tamzin believes that a lot offemale viewers will identify withher character, who is looselybased on the women the actresswas close to as a child.

'One of the things I remembergrowing up is how my mumand her sisters were alwaysrushing around... and if theyhad children they were alwayspicking up dirty washing.'

ForRhoda,drudgerystarted to become a way oflife when she fell pregnant as

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a teenager and married hertyre-fitter husband Tony (SteveWaddington). This scuppered anycareer plans she entertained.

But when Rhoda breaks thenews of her medical ambitionsto her family, she gets rather amixed response.

'Tony's initialreaction is that hewants Rhoda todo well,' saysTarnzin. 'But later hefinds it hard to hidehis jealousy of hernew-found confidenceand collegefriends. He'salways had herto himself.'

Come this summer, Tarnzin, 35,will be bagging her very owndoctor, by tying the knot withfiance Tom Ellis,who plays DrCousins in EastEnders.The couplemet while Tarnzin starred opposite

Shamelessstar James

McAvoyat London's RoyalCourtTheatre. 'James and Tom are bestmates,' says Tarnzin. 'I met Tomwhen he came to see the play andwe started dating days later.'

It will be a busy

summer. Not only does the actresshave a wedding to plan, she willalso be filming a second series ofHotel Babylon. Sufficeto say,she ison cloud nine - not least becauseshe gets to go blonde again.