EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite will bring a touch of glamour to Southend when she turns on the town's seafront illuminations.
The blonde actress - better known as Ian Beale's girlfriend Melanie Healy in the BBC soap - will be lighting up the seafront at the end of Southend Carnival week on Saturday August 21.
Her appearance will cement the town's relationship with the gritty soap - the BBC filmed three episodes in and around Southend earlier this year.
Tamzin, a relative newcomer to the programme, is sure to draw the crowds. She was voted Sexiest Female at the British Soap Awards in May.
Assistant director of corporate services Mike Pressling said Southend Council was delighted to get the actress to turn on the lights.
He added: "We hope that many people will come down to the seafront to watch the carnival procession, illuminations and fireworks.
"It always provides a great finale to carnival week."
Sexiest soap star - Tamzin Outhwaite
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