54-year-old actress explains why she 'won't date people' her own age

A British actor has explained why she has ruled out dating people her own age.

Last year, Tamzin Outhwaite confirmed her split from her boyfriend of six years, Tom Child.

At the age of 33, the director was 20 years younger than the former EastEnders star.

And now 54 years old, Outhwaite has said she’d rather be single than in a happy relationship right now.

Well known for playing Mel Healy in the popular BBC soap, the actor is also known for appearances in the likes of Hotel Babylon, The Fixer and New Tricks.

From 2006 to 2014, Outhwaite was married to Lucifer actor Tom Ellis, who she shares two daughters with. But for now, it seems she’s prioritising single life and if she is going to step back out of it, it'll have to be for someone younger.

Appearing on HELLO!’s Second Act podcast, the star explained: “It took me a long time in life to start having a love affair with myself instead of another man.”

She doesn't think she's got time for a relationship right now. (Matt Keeble/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Outhwaite said ‘friendship’ is of a bigger importance to her right now, more than ‘romance’ is.

“I don’t know that I’ve got the time for relationships,” she added.

She went on to say the ‘constant search’ for a person to ‘complete you is dangerous.'

“I won’t do it again,” the actor continued. “There is so much discovery of yourself you can do.”

But if she does find herself falling into a romance again, whoever the lucky man is won’t be her own age.

“I haven't really dated someone my age or older than me,” Outhwaite said.

“I feel like I'm 30, and I'll look at someone who is 40 and think, 'that's about right!' before realising they're much younger than me."

Although, she did joke: “There are men in their 50s who really look after themselves, but I just haven't met them yet."

She was previously married to Tom Ellis. (Dave M. Benett/WireImage)

When Outhwaite confirmed her relationship with Child had come to an end last year, she made similar comments about being happy on her own.

“And being single and happy is a really lovely place to be. And that can only happen with life experience,” she told The Mirror, explaining it was perhaps the first time she had been both happy and single at the same time.

The actor added: “There is a lot said about people not wanting to be on their own as they get older. I really like being on my own. Especially now, at this age, I really like my own company.”