Tamzin Outhwaite moved to tears by government arts funding

6 July 2020

Tamzin Outhwaite was moved to tears by the government's new arts rescue package.

Tamzin Outhwaite

The 48-year-old actress took to Twitter to praise those who have helped the arts and culture industries gain £1.57 billion funding after a number of productions have come to a halt - and venues closed - due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She tweeted: "I am awake. I had no idea just how scared, worried & sad I felt about our industry during this pandemic,until I woke at 4am & checked Twitter & had a proper cry.

"@RishiSunak @OliverDowden thank you. Everyone who signed petitions, thank you (sic)"

Prior to the funding, the former 'EastEnders' star backed a petition that was signed by more than 150,000 people in just two weeks in a bid to save the industry.

Oliver Dowden - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport - and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the package on Sunday (05.07.20), which will provide £880 million of grants and £270 million of loans in England, plus an extra £97 million, £59 million and £33 million for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively to help the cultural sector rebuild and begin generating £32.3 billion a year.

Sunak wrote on Twitter: "The show must go on. We're introducing a world-leading £1.57 billion rescue package to help cultural, arts and heritage institutions weather the impact of coronavirus."

However, the petition is still running in hopes more than one million people will sign to be ready for the next "critical moment".

Meanwhile, Tamzin was due to join a star-studded cast for Jamie Lloyd's play 'The Seagull' from March 11th until May 30th before it was delayed, but she is adamant the show will resume once social distancing measures have lifted.

She previously wrote on her Instagram account: "Tonight would have been our final performance of 'The Seagull' @playhousetheatrelondon with this truly incredible cast.

"I felt so lucky to be a part of it . We will return with our leader @jamielloyd .... until then ... peace out"