Actor

Tamsin was born in Kent in 1966 and describes herself as having been the temperamental and noisy middle child of an expressive mother and a much older father. She took part in numerous school plays so it seemed logical to continue her interest in drama by studying the subject at the University of Birmingham - which was just across the road from the BBC studios where The Archers was recorded.

Upon graduating, Tamsin's first job was for the Family Planning Association - "I used to know everything about contraception!" She then worked at the Midland Art Centre's Children's Theatre and, after 115 performances of the same show, got her Equity Card and consequently more offers of work.

Tamsin describes her offer of the role as Debbie in The Archers as "coming completely out of the blue" in 1991. She is still amazed by her good fortune, especially as the Archers production team has been so flexible and created the 'Hungary' option.

Tamsin has undertaken theatre roles, voice-over, television and film work. Television includes BBC productions Happiness (with Paul Whitehouse), People Like Us and The World Of Pub; Channel 4's comedy series Black Books; HTV's Wycliffe and LWT's Blind Men. She has filmed Miranda and Pure and has narrated for the National Geographic, History and BBC Natural History channels.

Other TV work includes: Green Wing (Channel 4); The Lenny Henry Show; Love Soup; When I'm 64 (a television film for the BBC); and Extras, with Matt le Blanc (Joey from Friends).

Films include "Shaun Of The Dead"; and "Cheese Makes You Dream".

Tamsin lives in London with her husband and actor Rick Leaf, whom she met while working on a television series, Neverwhere, for the BBC. They have three children and enjoy going to the park.