Tamzin Outhwaite gets a star-studded greeting ~ Beauty Care

Tamzin Outhwaite gets a star-studded greeting

To some she may always be remembered as feisty vicar's daughter Melanie in Eastenders who dumped Ian Beale on their wedding night.

But Tamzin Outhwaite's passion has always been for song and dance and eight years on from the comings and goings in Albert Square, her career continues to go from strength to strength.

So much so that her critically-acclaimed performance in the revival of the 1960s musical Sweet Charity has now been finally brought to audiences in the West End.

Sweet Charity: Tamzin Outhwaite returns to the West End in her critically-acclaimed performance in the revival of the 1960s Broadway show

Tamzin, 39, first starred in the revival of the 1966 Cy Coleman play at the Mernier Chocolate Factory in Southwark, London last November, in a four-month run that ended in March.

But so successful was the musical - and Tamzin's lead performance - that it is now enjoying a second run, this time at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket.

And last night, after a number of preview shows, the musical officially opened to a star-studded audience, with many of Tamzin's acting chums proudly watching.

Pretty in pink: Tamzin performs a number with a cane and top hat

Let's dance: A tassled Tamzin leads her co-stars in a twist

They included actresses Lisa Faulkner, Angela Griffin and Nicola Stephenson, who arrived together to show their support.

Also attending last night's show was Tamzin's former Eastenders co-star June Brown, better known for her role in the soap as matriarch Dot Cotton, and choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.

Taking a night off from her successful West End run in Legally Blonde to check out the competition was Sheridan Smith.

Here come the girls: Tamzin and Sweet Charity co-stars Tiffany Graves (L) and Josefina Gabrielle

Sugababe Heidi Range also attended along with This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby, Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page and the flamboyant star of the reality TV show Pineapple Dance Studios, Louie Spence.

But one of the biggest photo opportunities on the red carpet came courtesy of Oz and the remaining Dorothy hopefuls from the BBC talent show Over The Rainbow.

Proud husband: Tamzin is a vision in green as she is accompanied from the theatre by her other half, actor Tom Ellis

The final six girls - Jessica Robinson, Danielle Hope, Jenny Douglas, Lauren Samuels, Sophie Evans and Steph Fearon - all got a glimpse of what could be in store for them if they win the coveted role in the upcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber stage version of The Wizard of Oz.

All looking very glamorous in their finest frocks, the six girls arrived with Over The Rainbow judge and Eastenders star John Partridge and stopped to pose for the cameras as they got their first taste of the red carpet.

The girls met Tamzin on Over The Rainbow when she and four other leading West End ladies - Kelly Ellis, who has replaced Jodie Prenger as Nancy in Oliver!, Chcago's Ruthie Henshall , Sheridan Smith and former Spice Girl and now Blood Brothers star Melanie C - gave the Dorothy hopefuls a valuable insight into the life and profession.

Sugary blondes: Sheridan Smith (L) takes a night out from her West End role in Legally Blonde to watch Tamzin, while Sugababe Heidi Range also attended

Sweet Charity tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a gullible dance hall hostess who wears her heart on her sleeve and always falls for the wrong man.

The musical includes songs from Cy Coleman's classic score including Hey, Big Spender and If My Friends Could See Me Now.

Blondes have more fun: This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby (L) and Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page

Girl power: (L-R) Actresses Lisa Faulkner Angela Griffin, Nicola Stephenson show up to support their friend

Trained in musical theatre when she was younger, Tamzin said it still remains her favourite genre.

But she admitted that she was wary when she was initially offered the role in Sweet Charity.

Not in Kansas anymore: The six remaining Dorothy hopefuls from Over The Rainbow with John Partridge, one of the show's judges

Ladies' night: Tamzin's former Eastenders co-star June Brown and former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips

Speaking to the Guardian this weekend, Tamzin, who lives with actor husband Tom Ellis and their two-year-old daughter Florence in north London, said: 'There was a wariness when I was offered it.

'I immediately thought: am I going to have the stamina? It's a mammoth role. Am I going to be able to rehearse, act, sing, dance, do it eight times a week, and be a mum? But the kind of joy that comes out of it helps, feeds into life anyway.'