❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

EastEnders icon Tamzin Outhwaite guest stars in glamorous first look at Channel 5's Benidorm Is Murder

Outhwaite is set to play the ex-wife of John Hannah's sleuthing bar owner Dennis.

Tamzin Outhwaite and John Hannah in Benidorm Is Murder, sitting at a bar speaking.

5

Published: Monday, 17 August 2026 at 4:02 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 issues for £10

EastEnders favourite Tamzin Outhwaite is joining the sun-soaked mayhem of Benidorm Is Murder, with a Radio Times exclusive first-look image revealing her glamorous guest turn in Channel 5's breakout crime drama.

Ad

Outhwaite – who is perhaps best known as Mel Owen in EastEnders, as well as leading BBC's New Tricks and Hotel Babylon – is set to play Tiff, the ex-wife of John Hannah's retired detective Dennis Crown.

Outhwaite's Tiff is due to make her first appearance in next week's episode of Benidorm Is Murder and will be seen across both the fifth and sixth episodes of the series.

Tamzin Outhwaite leaning down and kissing John Hannah on the cheek.

Tamzin Outhwaite and John Hannah in Benidorm Is Murder. 5

Speaking about her role in the drama, Outhwaite said: "I would describe Tiff as someone who feels like time is running out for her. She’s quite complex. There is a lot of Beverly from Abigail’s Party, who I’m playing onstage right now, as well.

"Tiff’s a good time girl who is extremely sociable and extremely confident, but at the same time I think that she has got it in her head that she deserves better. Or that she could do better. I think she’s searching. I don’t think she’s completely settled. She doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who is thinking, ‘Ok, let’s just be on my own.’

"Being alone would seem like a failure. She sees success as what society deems as success, which is the 2.4 kids, the house, the car, the husband. I think she’s searching for that rather than searching for something in herself."

Tamzin Outhwaite in key art for Benidorm Is Murder, standing in a black and white dress with a superimposed image of a sandy beach behind her.

Tamzin Outhwaite for Benidorm Is Murder. 5

Benidorm Is Murder follows Dennis, a former UK police detective who has swapped the force for a quieter life running a bar on the Costa Blanca, only to be dragged back into detective work when holidaymakers start dying in suspicious circumstances. He teams up with his crime-obsessed barmaid Rosa, played by Carolina Becquer, to solve the killings that keep interrupting his retirement.

But Tiff's appearance is only set to stir up some more emotions for Dennis, with Outhwaite revealing: "Yeah, they obviously still care for each other. I love that scene. That same scene could have ended with her scolding him and just being the classic archetype, but instead it’s really apparent that she still cares.

"Yes, she’s there to tell Dennis that she’s getting married to Eddie, and she’s brought the divorce papers, but she doesn’t want to break his heart any further. She wants to tell him face to face rather than him find out any other way."

Read more:

The series has drawn comparisons to Death in Paradise for its blend of holiday-postcard glamour and murder-mystery plotting, with its regular cast including Ariadna Cabrol as DS Maria Hernandez, Damian Schedler Cruz as PC Jesus Ballesteros, Brian Bovell as Archie and Eva Van Der Gucht as Jackie.

Outhwaite is just one of several familiar faces dropping in across the run. Other guest stars include impressionist Alistair McGowan, Loose Women panellist Denise Welch and Irish actress Amy Huberman.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Benidorm Is Murder is on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursdays.

Add Benidorm Is Murder to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more TV recommendations and reviews listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

Ad

Ad

Subscribe for £1 per week

Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.

Subscribe now

Loading...

Ad

Loading...