EastEnders legend devastated by family death as she pays emotional tribute

EASTENDERS legend Tamzin Outhwaite has been left devastated by a family death.

The actress, 52, announced her aunt Sandra had passed away on Friday while emotionally paying tribute on Instagram.

Tamzin shared a beaming selfie of the pair, as well as a snap of her late relative riding her bike.

In her caption, she reminisced on happy memories and admitted she had been finding Sandra's death "hard to process".

The Ilford-native wrote, "It is taking a while to process this but we lost a matriarch of our family on 7th July. Sandra Santi/Baldwin.

"My Godmother, my mum’s sister, my formidable, unique aunt who was like another mum to me whilst growing up.

"We watched her lose her husband (my godfather) when she had 4 young children. Sandra seemed to sail through life, cooking, laughing, being the hostess, the life and soul.

"She then lost her son and then her sister.

"I always believed you when you told me your age…you raised your children and led with laughter and joy and we will miss you so very much.

"You can now sit on the phone with my mum for 2 hours and fall asleep,before you see each other.

"Your incredible strength runs through your children and Grandchildren. I will miss our chats and time together. rest in peace my dear auntie #auntysandrissimo."

On May 13, 2018, Tamzin announced that her mother had passed away and paid tribute to her online.

She shot to fame in the 90s playing Melanie Owen in EastEnders from 1998 until 2002.