Latest news with #relationships
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tamzin Outhwaite, 54, says she's loving single life as she shrugs off dating apps after split from toyboy ex
Tamzin Outhwaite says she's 'never been happier' after spending the longest stretch of her life without a man. The former EastEnders star, 54, revealed she's loving single life and has no plans to rush into dating, despite recently joining a dating app, following her split from 34-year-old personal trainer Tom Child. In a refreshingly honest chat, Tamzin admitted she struggles to keep up with the app and isn't thrilled at the thought of getting back into the dating scene. She told The Sun: 'I'm single, I've tried the dating apps. I'm on one now but I keep forgetting to check it. 'I just can't imagine actually going on the date and going back to the small talk. It will happen one day but I'm certainly not waiting for it. I've been single for over a year now and I'm loving it too much.' The TV favourite, who shot to fame as Mel Owen in EastEnders back in 1998, hasn't spent this much time single in her adult life, having gone from long-term relationship to long-term relationship for decades. Tamzin explained: 'I owe it to myself to be single, because I haven't been single for this long, ever. I have always been in relationships. I actually like being on my own, it's really nice.' Her break-up with Tom last year came six years after they first got together. Tamzin later described it as the 'most respectful and mature' break-up she'd ever experienced - a far cry from her painful 2013 divorce from actor Tom Ellis, who she accused of multiple infidelities. Despite her growing popularity on screen, Tamzin says love isn't currently a priority, with life as a mum to daughters Florence, 17, and Marnie, 12, taking up too much of her time. And it's not just parenting that's keeping her busy. Tamzin's acting career is booming with recent roles in ITV's The Tower and Channel 5's The Wives. She even joined Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special last year, though ruled out doing the full series, joking: 'I don't have the patience or the bones at this stage - or muscles.' Tamzin has also taken health into her own hands, revealing that she dropped a dress size before filming The Wives by ditching booze and exercising daily over six weeks. Her break-up with Tom last year came six years after they first got together, which Tamzin later described as the 'most respectful and mature' break-up she'd ever experienced (pictured with ex Tom Ellis in 2012) Now, she keeps fit with outdoor yoga and regular sauna sessions which she says 'without a doubt work'. With a tight-knit group of celeb pals including Amanda Holden, Denise Van Outen and Angela Griffin, Tamzin's got plenty of support as she confirmed that she is in no rush to trade in her independence just yet. Earlier this year the actress showed off her toned figure on Instagram as she worked out on a balcony whilst on holiday in Malta. She uploaded a sped-up video detailing her workout routine in a throwback post from her time in the Mediterranean country. The TV star went through her full routine, stretching her arms, legs and working on her core, as she did some balcony barre. She then braved an ice cold shower after her workout, then showcased her impressive flexibility while stretching and doing some yoga on the deck. The actress later headed to the gym and wowed fans as she performed a perfect headstand before pulling on her cosy white dressing gown for a massage and acupuncture.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm on dating app but I love being single, says Tamzin Outhwaite as she opens up on her first-dates dread
SHE may have finally signed up to a dating app but Tamzin Outhwaite is reluctant to meet a new man, admitting: 'I love being single.' The former EastEnders actress' marriage ended when her husband cheated. 6 6 6 And after spending much of her adult life in a relationship, this is the longest she has been on her own. Although the 54-year-old has taken the plunge with online dating since splitting from her toyboy partner last year, she is dreading the inevitable first date 'small talk'. Tamzin says in an exclusive interview: ' I'm single, I've tried the dating apps. I'm on one now but I keep forgetting to check it. 'I just can't imagine actually going on the date and going back to the small talk. It will happen one day but I'm certainly not waiting for it. 'I've been single for over a year now and I'm loving it too much. 'I owe it to myself to be single, because I haven't been single for this long, ever. I have always been in relationships. I actually like being on my own, it's really nice.' Her last relationship was with fitness instructor Tom Child, who is 20 years her junior. They split after six years together. Afterwards, straight-talking Tamzin said it was the 'most mature, respectful and humane break-up' she has ever had and she says they have stayed friends. It was a far cry from the agonising end of her seven-year marriage to Miranda and Lucifer actor Tom Ellis, 46, in 2013. 'Felt a fraud' While she was looking after their two young daughters, he had a fling with Lost actress Emilie de Ravin, 43, when they filmed an episode of US adventure series Once Upon A Time. Tamzin does not believe it was the only time Tom was unfaithful. A decade after the split, she took to social media and put up a post that she later deleted which read: 'Ten years since the father of my kids walked out on us for the final time. "I still meet new people on jobs who reveal more infidelities and lies he committed.' And now, another hindrance for her love life is finding the time to date. Laughing, she tells how her daughters Florence, 17, and Marnie, nearly 13, keep her busy, saying: 'I don't have the time. I'm concentrating a lot on driving my teenagers around.' Within her career, she has barely had a break either. Tamzin became a household name in 1998 when she joined the cast of the BBC 's EastEnders as Mel, and went on to win several Sexiest Female awards as well as Best Actress thanks to the role. She has also starred in army series Red Cap, crime drama New Tricks and played Rebecca Mitchell in drama Hotel Babylon. Recently she played a recovering drug addict in ITV 's police series The Tower, and last year played sex-loving Sylvie in Channel 5 's six-part drama The Wives. Tamzin says that after reading the script for The Wives, she overhauled her health and figure ready for the camera. She says: 'I lost weight before we started filming The Wives last February. 'I read that I was in a bikini a lot and a swimsuit. So, between Christmas and the New Year, I didn't drink any alcohol and I exercised every day. I didn't ever weigh myself, but I just knew I could fit into things that I didn't used to. 'I went down a dress size. It took me six weeks. Now it's just keeping it off.' She does not have a regular exercise regime but loves doing 'outdoor yoga', has collagen stimulating Neogen facials and swears by sitting in hot saunas. Tamzin says: 'I have a sauna at least four times a week. Without a doubt it works. I stay in for anything between 25 and 35 minutes. 'If you need to you can get out and have a cold shower then get back in, then that's great.' Tamzin, who also supports charities including Caudwell Children, which helps disabled children, has a tight-knit group of friends who became her lifeline during her relationship woes. 6 6 They include Denise Van Outen, Holly Willoughby, Sarah Parish, Angela Griffin and Lisa Faulkner, while Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has spoken about their wild weekends with 'embarrassing amounts of alcohol' and 'nattering' about their children. Tamzin says: 'I get an awful lot from my female friends. And my male friends, and family and work colleagues too.' While some of her mates have moved from acting into presenting, Tamzin has no plans to follow in their footsteps. There have been rumours that she could join the Loose Women panel but she says: 'It's been talked about but I don't think I'm a very good presenter. I prefer to act. I don't think presenting is really for me.' Last year she took part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special which she says she 'loved'. She says: 'I loved it. It was easy. Well, it wasn't easy, but I felt like a bit of a fraud because I wasn't doing the main show.' Despite this, she would not do the full series. Tamzin says: 'I wouldn't have the patience or the bones at this stage — or muscles.' 'I'd get frustrated' Partnered by pro Nikita Kuzmin, who she dubbed 'Prince Charming, she found the two-week stint for the Christmas special tougher than expected. Tamzin, who studied drama and dance at the London Studio Centre as a teen, reveals: 'I'd just get frustrated because I used to dance and I wanted to be able to dance like I used to, and I can't.' And while she loves TV work, Tamzin admits she is getting fewer offers than she used to after turning 40. She says: 'It slows right down. Well, it has for me and it has for most people I know at my age. I owe it to myself to be single, because I haven't been single for this long, ever Tamzin Outhwaite 'But I also think we're becoming a bit more aware of it.' However, she is still in demand on stage. Over her career she has had starring West End roles in Oliver! and Grease. Last year she gave what one reviewer called 'the performance of her career' in a revival of Mike Leigh's 1970s comedy Abigail's Party. And next month she begins rehearsals in another modern stage classic, the dark comedy Entertaining Mr Sloane, by Joe Orton. Tamzin will play landlady Kath, who begins an affair with a new lodger, in the production that opens at London's Young Vic in September. Tamzin says: 'I absolutely love doing theatre and more than anything I love that rehearsal process. 'I like doing four weeks in a room with other people as a collaborative. That's my favourite thing to do as an actor.' Only one thing stops her from making the stage her entire career. She says: 'You can't live off theatre money. You run at a loss a lot of the time, because theatre is so badly paid.' But Tamzin says she loves the adrenaline of knowing that one mistake in front of an audience could cause chaos. She adds: 'I think that's also the best thing about it — it makes it more exciting.'
Forbes
7 hours ago
- General
- Forbes
3 ‘Micro-Behaviors' That Make Relationships Last, By A Psychologist
Sometimes, the smallest moment can make the biggest difference. Here are three subtle ways couples ... More can grow together in relationships and stay deeply connected long-term. We often associate 'growth' with something lofty and abstract, like a vision board goal rather than a lived, daily experience. Sure, these tools can serve as reminders of our goals, but in practice, 'micro-behaviors' or small, almost forgettable actions are what slowly shift the emotional tone and expectations within a partnership. These moments may not be headline-worthy, but they are the true scaffolding of a relationship that allows both individuals to explore, expand and evolve. Here are three micro-behaviors that help a relationship evolve and thrive long-term. 1. Asking, Not Assuming Imagine checking in with your partner, saying 'What's going on with you today?' vs. 'You're being distant again.' Notice the difference? When you've been with someone for a while, it's easy to feel like you 'know' them. And while familiarity can breed comfort, it can also breed assumptions. We start to auto-fill the blanks in their behavior: 'Oh, he's stressed again.' 'She's clearly mad at me.' 'They always do this when they're annoyed.' But the truth is that assuming shuts off further discussion. Asking opens it up. When we replace judgment with genuine curiosity, we give our partner space to show up as a dynamic, changing individual. Not the version of them we hold in our head, but the version who is here, now, with us in the present. A 2017 study published in Social and Personality Psychology Compass shows that the feeling of being understood isn't always the same as 'actually' being understood. In fact, people often feel misunderstood even when others do understand them, and vice versa. This happens because our sense of being understood is shaped not just by what others say, but by our emotional history, the relational context and how safe we feel to express ourselves. By asking instead of assuming, you increase the chance that your partner actually feels understood because you're making space for their current experience, rather than projecting your version of it. This kind of curiosity signals emotional availability. It says, 'I'm here for the person you are right now, not just the version I've constructed in my head.' And that makes your relationship a safer place for vulnerability and growth. For instance, instead of just saying, 'You're being cold lately,' try, 'I've noticed some distance. How have you been feeling lately?' You can also create a ritual of using check-in questions, such as: Over time, these simple questions show your partner that there is acceptance and space for their emotions, and that you care about their inner world enough to deeply understand its complexities. 2. Pausing Before Reacting When something triggers us, perhaps an offhand comment, a missed bid for connection or a perceived slight, our nervous system jumps into action. Often, we give into this sense of urgency and impulsively speak before thinking, defend ourselves before trying to understand the other person's intentions or emotionally shut down before we've had the chance to resolve an issue. What makes all the difference? A small pause. Just taking a deep breath and saying 'Let me take a moment before I respond.' This doesn't mean suppressing your emotions, but giving yourself some time to process them before they take the wheel entirely. This pause offers the opportunity to shift from a state of autopilot to active agency. You're still feeling, but now you're choosing your response rather than being hijacked by it. A 2018 study on mindfulness, defined as present-moment awareness without judgment, highlights that this kind of intentional pausing plays a crucial role in regulating the stress response. When couples use mindfulness tools, they're more likely to respond thoughtfully than react emotionally. This is especially helpful in high-stakes relational moments, where reactivity can easily derail connection. A pause often prevents further escalation and creates space for empathy, perspective-taking and healthier behavioral choices. To start pausing before reacting, try the following: This simple pause can save you from saying something that builds an emotional wall, when what you actually wanted was a bridge. 3. Celebrating Who Your Partner Is Becoming Another powerful micro-behavior is acknowledging your partner's growth. It's saying 'I see how hard you're trying, and it means a lot.' We tend to applaud obvious milestones, but growth isn't always visible. Sometimes, it looks like your partner biting their tongue when needed, bringing up something vulnerable or trying a new behavior that feels clumsy but earnest. When we acknowledge the process rather than just the outcome, we create a culture of psychological safety in the relationship. Your partner doesn't have to be perfect to be appreciated. They just have to be trying. A litany of research shows that people are more likely to persist with new behaviors when their efforts — and not just results — are acknowledged. It also reinforces a growth mindset in the relationship of knowing that 'We're works in progress, and that's okay.' For example, research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin shows that the way a partner supports self-improvement has a powerful impact on both one's personal growth and on relationship quality. Specifically, when support is nurturing and action-oriented (e.g., encouraging or helping without taking over), it leads to better follow-through on change and deeper connection. On the other hand, when support is critical or invalidating, it actually undermines both growth and closeness. This means that even a small moment of saying, 'I see you trying to manage your stress differently, it means a lot to me,' does more than encourage your partner. It creates a relational climate where 'becoming' is safe and supported. To create this habit, try the following: In essence, growth starts with staying curious instead of certain, pausing instead of reacting and validating effort instead of waiting for perfection. These actions make intimacy easier, safety stronger and the relationship more resilient, so you can keep 'becoming,' together. Do you and your partner share a growth mindset? Take this science-backed test to find out: Growth Mindset Scale
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
2 Ways ‘Dark Personalities' Justify Cheating, By A Psychologist
People who cheat may not think they've done anything wrong, especially if they have dark personality ... More traits that make them less empathetic and less likely to take responsibility. Cheating, whether sexual or emotional, can cause deep hurt and emotional distress to the person being cheated on. But what goes through the mind of someone who cheats? Do they feel any guilt, shame or remorse or do they just try to cover their tracks? More importantly, what drives them to cheat? One 2013 study published in Ethics & Behavior found that people who are thrill-seekers and behave impulsively without thinking about the consequences of their actions are likely to cheat in relationships. They may exhibit underlying traits associated with the Dark Triad, a group of socially aversive personality traits including: In fact, a 2024 study published in the Culture and Evolution found that dark personality traits — especially psychopathy — can shape people's dating behavior and incidences of infidelity. Researchers found that higher scores of psychopathy were associated with the willingness to be unfaithful to one's partner. Such partners, especially men with this trait, were also more suspicious of their own partners being unfaithful to them. While not all partners who cheat have dark personality traits, those who do often share certain justifications for their behavior. Here are two insights into why people with dark personality traits cheat. 1. They Stay In Long-Term Relationships But Continue To Seek Excitement It may seem contradictory, but individuals high in Dark Triad traits often pursue long-term relationships to appear socially acceptable, while still chasing short-term thrills. Menelaos Apostolou, author of the 2024 study, suggests that from an evolutionary perspective, this is likely also because long-term relationships offer emotional and financial support and are best suited for raising children. However, evolution may have favored a 'mixed strategy,' where someone has a long-term partner but also occasionally seeks out casual relationships on the side. Dark personality traits might actually help pull this off, since such people are more willing to take risks or manipulate others, all while avoiding guilt, which can support this mixed-mating strategy. However, this behavior comes at a cost. The more partners a person tries to juggle, the more likely they are to get caught. According to Apostolou's study, individuals high in psychopathy were significantly more likely to be caught cheating. To make matters worse, people with Dark Triad traits often dominate the relationship, leaving their partner struggling to cope with the betrayal. 'Sexual infidelity is much more problematic when the relationship is unequal, and the partner with the most power is unfaithful, particularly if the inequality means that the other partner would have great difficulty exiting the relationship,' explains Natasha McKeever, PhD, in her 2020 study on the moral justification and severity of sexual infidelity. 2. They Distrust Their Partner Because They Assume Everyone Cheats Cheating isn't wrong simply because it hurts one partner, but rather, because the hurt is reasonable. For instance, a man exhibiting jealousy simply because his partner is talking to another man reflects unfair expectations. This dynamic can escalate in extreme ways, as seen in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial involving Grammy-winning rapper Scott Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi. Kid Cudi testified in the trial, alleging that Combs broke into his home and threatened him due to Cudi's past relationship with Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Ventura also alleged that Combs told her he would blow up Cudi's car, and shortly after, his car did explode in his driveway. Though Combs denied the allegation, the incident illustrates how some individuals may attempt to exert control over their current or former partners, even through intimidation or violence, to prevent them from forming new relationships. This is often the case with cheaters exhibiting Dark Triad traits. People who cheat more often are also more likely to suspect their partners of cheating because they tend to distrust others and assume that others act the same way they do. In Apostolou's study, men with high psychopathy scores were especially suspicious of their partner's fidelity, even when no signs of infidelity were present. This is because such partners cheat more frequently themselves. And if they don't trust themselves to remain faithful, they likely wouldn't trust you either. By committing sexual infidelity while pretending to be monogamous, the manipulative partner gains exclusive emotional and sexual access to the other person, who is under the impression that the relationship is still exclusive. But when the partner at fault gets caught, the illusion quickly falls apart. This can leave the betrayed partner feeling overwhelmed with feelings of anger, anxiety or even the painful belief that something is wrong with them. If you've been cheated on, it might help to understand where such behavior stems from and recognize it before it causes you any further harm. If you're the one who has cheated, it helps to reflect on what has driven your behavior and the far-reaching consequences it can have for those around you. Are you curious if you are inclined to cheating on your partner? Take the evidence-based Propensity Towards Infidelity Scale to gain clarity.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
"Not Everyone Is Going To Find Someone. Prepare Accordingly': Women Are Sharing The Hard Truths About Dating No One Really Talks About
When it comes to relationships, there's no "one size fits all" rule. Reddit user ItAffectionate4481 recently asked women, "What's one truth about dating no one talks about?" Here's what the ladies had to say: 1."You could be doing everything right and still fail at dating. There is no magic formula that makes a person a 'catch.'" —u/Neravariine 2."Dating doesn't always lead to a relationship, but it doesn't mean it was a failure or waste of time. Sometimes dating is just that, and that's fine." —u/VioletFox01 3."It's easy to fall for the idea of a person, of who you think they could become if they just did XYZ. You need to be careful and be sure that what you fall for is the person as they are and not an idea or ideal." —u/Dazzling-Cattle1926 4."Someone can treat you horribly and go on to have a super healthy, amazing relationship with someone else. I see a lot of people being like, 'Your ex has a new girl? Don't worry, their life is hell, and it'll end soon.' When the reality is that compatibility can make people act wildly differently. You'll hear about women who think they're asexual in a relationship, then when they move on and meet someone they're compatible with, they'll realize it wasn't their sex drive, it was their partner. We act differently with different people. While of course some people are just straight up unhealthy, crappy people, the painful reality is someone can neglect all your needs, make you question your worth, not communicate, etc. and then go on to meet someone who they're more compatible with and their partnership flows amazingly. People want to villainize their exes, but they're just people, and compatibility goes both ways." —u/awallpapergirl 5."If you want a healthy relationship with someone, you need to have a healthy relationship with yourself first. Otherwise, you're putting that responsibility on the other person, and it can quickly sabotage your relationship." —u/MomBeans- 6."You need to have some social skills to find a partner. You can't be surprised you're having trouble dating if you haven't successfully made a new friend in two decades." —u/Freshwaterbitchfish4 7."If you're questioning whether or not they actually like you, chances are that they don't, and you should proceed accordingly by moving on. And if they're too insecure to let you know, then they won't make a good partner in my experience. Many women would save themselves a lot of time and energy if they would simply take this advice." —u/DenverKim 8."Every relationship you get into will end with pain — either you break up or somebody dies. On a positive note, a relationship can matter even if it ends badly. Breaking up doesn't mean that your relationship was worthless, unimportant, or a failure. How something ends does not determine its overall value. People panic about the divorce rate and talk about failed marriages. I don't necessarily see those relationships as failures simply because they didn't last forever. Nothing in life lasts forever." —u/eefr 9."You will argue, lose the dopamine hits, and reconsider if they're who you actually want to be with. The real relationship starts after you both stick through it and put in the work to stay together." —u/Shark_Cellar 10."Regardless of the outcome, dating can be an enjoyable experience with moments of serendipity and wonder — if you like meeting people and find human beings to be fascinating creatures." —u/aeon314159 11."For many relationships, a breakup is genuinely the best case scenario, and we should not point to relationships ending as evidence that people are failing at love altogether. Breakups are hard, but are often brought on by completely valid, irreconcilable differences, and we should want those people to find better. Plus, you really do learn something from it every single time, even if you don't know it at the time." —u/AnonPinkLady 12."People do what's expedient, not what's necessary to give relationships an honest shot." —u/QueenScarebear 13."You should really, genuinely take time to get to know someone and progress the relationship slowly rather than rushing into moving in together, marriage, or 'I love you's.' We do have a 50% divorce rate for many reasons, including this." —u/jonni_velvet 14."People being open about not being compatible is a good thing. Rejections are not bad or shameful." —u/sunsetgal24 15."There's no formula to landing a partner or a woman's affection. Self-improvement is about marketing and enhancing your best traits, not changing yourself. You need to focus more on what you like about her (aside from looks) and how she complements you, rather than how to win her. If you like her that easily, that is concerning. A lot of this applies to women, too, but the formula thing is men-specific. I don't know why more people don't tell men this." —u/Sodium_Junkie624 16."It's about chance, in the end. You are not guaranteed a good match just because you do all the right things." —u/sunsetgal24 17."Dating is a skill. Like any skill, you need to practice to get good at it. If you don't have at least a few short-term relationships under your belt by the time you're hitting your late 20s, finding a good relationship is going to be extraordinarily challenging." —u/procreatewisely 18."Instant gratification dating is not sustainable. Long-term relationships have periods of turmoil, compromise, conversations, adjustments, and sometimes just silence. Strong couples stick it out. When the times are tough, that's when partners need each other to provide support. Also, you are not going to fit like a perfect puzzle piece with your partner. There will be things you don't like, disagreements, and conflict. The answer is not to walk away because you think you have options." "If you love that person, the answer is to talk, communicate, listen, and then make changes in your behavior. Be able to state the changes you need from your partner, and then trust each other to work on them. Dating is fun, exciting, and engaging. But once the honeymoon phase is done, the real work starts, and you need to train your dopamine-stimulated mind to sit in the discomfort when it happens. Good relationships are work. But the best part is, it won't feel like work, because you'd want to do it." —u/dean15892 19."Not everyone is going to find someone. Prepare accordingly." —u/TayPhoenix What's a dating truth no one talks about? Share your thoughts in the comments or using the anonymous form below. Solve the daily Crossword
