EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite has hit back after being shamed over a car boot sale.

The actor, perhaps best known for playing Mel Owen on the BBC soap, was recently seen selling items at an event in Chigwell, Essex, though has noted in a new

series of social media posts that it is a “family tradition”.

“Our yearly car boot sale is a family tradition. Last Sunday 6 adults & 6 kids met up in our cars and took up almost a whole row,” Tamzin wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We had the best time.

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“Teaching our kids who range from 15 down to 4 that selling your unwanted toys & clothes is a great way [to] save money. We had the best time and we are already planning another.”

The star went on to state that she is currently filming for the BBC and hasn’t “fallen on hard times” as some have claimed, adding: “To shame someone for teaching kids to be resourceful is pretty low. And I would never sell posters of me.

“My kids made quite a bit of cash as did my brothers & cousin, and with my takings I got us a curry that night. If anyone knows of a great car boot sale we can do next please holla!!!” Tamzin concluded.

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The actor originally appeared on EastEnders around the millennium, returning to the role of Mel in 2018 before her character was killed off the following year.

Speaking in 2022, Tamzin explained that she was glad her character died, telling Inside Soap: “At first I was sad that Mel died. And now I am pleased because it means the door is closed and it’s done.

“Part of the excitement of being an actor is the uncertainty and not knowing what the next job is. I was very fond of the character. But to know you can’t go back is nice in a way.”

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Tamzin had joined Channel 5 thriller series The Wives, which also stars fellow EastEnders actor Jo Joyner and Waterloo Road’s Angela Griffin.