Tamzin Outhwaite has fractured her foot.
The 46-year-old actress – known for playing Melanie Owen in ‘EastEnders’ from 1998 until 2002 – has been forced to temporarily pull out of her West End show ‘Stepping Out’, in which she plays Marvis, at London’s Vaudeville Theatre because of her injury.
Taking to her Instagram account on Wednesday (01.03.17) night, the blonde beauty uploaded a photograph of her foot in a brace with crutches perched on her thigh.
A few hours later she admitted that she was "heartbroken" that her painful foot meant that she couldn’t join the rest of the cast – including Amanda Holden – on stage for the first preview at the beautiful theatre and was, instead, watching from the stalls.
She said: "This brilliant cast are doing their 1st preview tonight… they are all amazing and am heartbroken not to be up there with them. Have a ball my friends."
Producers confirmed that Katie Verner will be stepping in for Tamzin this week and Anna-Jane Casey will take over the role next week until the star is ready to return.
The statement said: "Anna-Jane Casey – Stepping In for Tamzin Outhwaite. . In an unfortunate twist of fate, Tamzin Outhwaite has been forced to temporarily withdraw from the production with a stress fracture of her foot. Stepping into Ms Outhwaite’s tap shoes until she has been given the medical all clear to rejoin her friends in the production will be Anna-Jane Casey (West Side Story, Chicago and Billy Elliot), who will temporarily join the cast from next week. Prior to Anna-Jane’s debut, the role will be played by Katie Verner. . ‘It is sad to lose Tamzin,’ says Amanda Holden. ‘It is ironic and, of course, in keeping with the theme of the show in many ways. However we can assure everyone who comes a fun and entertaining evening and we can’t wait to get started with the previews. We look forward to Tamzin returning very soon. (sic)"
It’s not known how Tamzin hurt her foot or when she’ll return to the stage.