(née '''Healy''', previously '''Beale''') was a
Fictional Character in the popular
BBC Soap Opera ''
EastEnders ''. She was played by
Tamzin Outhwaite .
She arrived in Walford as the sister of local vicar
Alex Healy and daughter of Jeff Healy. She soon became a new love interest of
Ian Beale . Ian had a twin son and daughter, Lucy and Peter, and cared for his adopted son Steven like his own. Melanie found the presence of three children hard to deal with at first but grew to love Steven, Peter and Lucy. Ian and Mel planned to marry at the same time that Lucy became ill with suspected cancer. Ian overheard Mel admit that she didn't truly love Ian and she'd only wed him if Lucy had cancer. When Lucy had some tests and was given the all clear, Ian lied to Mel and told her Lucy ''did'' have cancer to emotionally blackmail Mel into marriage. The pair married on New Years Eve 1999, in a joint double wedding with
Barry and
Natalie Evans , but at their reception, she discovered the truth and left Ian as the clock stuck midnight and the new millennium began.
Mel then had a few flings with the unlikely
Billy Mitchell ,
Phil Mitchell and
Dan Sullivan , although it was her on/off flirtation with
Steve Owen that lasted, and after becoming a couple, they married in March
2001 despite Steve finding out a day earlier from the wedding day that she had slept with Phil on Christmas Day
2000 in a drunken
One-night Stand . On the same day of their wedding Phil was shot by a mystery attacker and Steve became the prime suspect. Melanie suspected it might have been him but he protested his innocence. But later Phil recovered from the shooting and confronted the culprit who turned out to be
Lisa Shaw . Surprisingly he forgave her and decided to frame his arch nemesis
Dan Sullivan .
Dan Sullivan was wrongly imprisoned for trying to kill Phil Mitchell, and after his release, believing that it was Steve who actually shot him, kidnapped Mel in revenge. Dan demanded a large sum of money and Steve grew desperate. During her few days of capivity, Mel was informed about Steve's dodgy dealings and criminal activities. After Phil came to her rescue and Dan fled, she took time out after burning down her and Steve's club,
E20 , an act which she did to get her own back after Steve's lies. He wooed her over, however, and they planned to flee to the
United States with her best friend,
Lisa Shaw , her boyfriend,
Mark Fowler , and daughter, Louise (who was the daughter of Steve's arch-nemesis, Phil Mitchell). After Mark was unable to go, and was Lisa torn as to what to do, the plan was falling apart close to the day of departure. Steve had to sort a few things out, and Phil was hot on his trail (baby Louise was in the back of Steve's car). Steve swirved and crashed. Phil rushed to get Louise out of the car. He went back for Steve but the car exploded with Steve inside.
Mel was heart-broken when a web of deceit and lies was uncovered. She discovered that Steve had been sleeping with Phil's sister, , so Phil had to pay £30,000.
A few months later, Lisa also fled Albert Square with baby Louise to join Mel after destroying her marriage to Mark by becoming involved with Phil again.
After Lisa disappeared (and was thought to have been tracked down and murdered by Phil), some episodes were shown in
Portugal about what really happened (Phil just persuaded Lisa to hand over Louise, and left her in an emotional wreck), and Lisa commented that Mel was in
Lisbon giving birth to her daughter. This is the last known fact about Melanie Owen.
- ''(Ian has received the all clear on Lucy's test results for cancer)'' Mel: They still haven't told you the results, have they?: Well...'''Mel''': Well, I'm phoning them, they've been ages... we want to know... we have to know. ''(Mel goes to the phone and starts dialing. Ian grabs the phone off her and hangs up)'''''Mel''': Ian...: The results came through today.'''Mel''': Lucy has cancer.: ''(pause)'' Yes...Yes, she does (Mel starts crying and falls into Ian's arms)
- :Mel, I love you'''Mel''': ''(as the clock strikes Midnight on just before the new millennium)'' Well guess what Ian? I don't love you. And I never have done!
- ''(Just after Mel and Ian have split up)'' ''(To Lucy)'': Hello, gorgeous.'''Lucy''': Mel, can you come to tea, today?: Not today, darling.'''Lucy''': Maybe tomorrow.: ''(looking at Ian)'' Well, maybe.'''Steven''': No, she won't. She's lying. '''Ian''':(''to Mel'') satisfied?
- (''Kat has told Mel she's slept with Steve'') : He does think he's a bit flash though, don't he? I mean what with those black silk sheets, and a waterbed, how tacky? '''Kat''':I know... :... and them mirrors on the ceiling '''Kat''':Oh they're horrid ain't they? (''smiling''):You haven't been anywhere near his bedroom '''Kat''':You sick bitch!
- Husband: '' Steve Owen (deceased)''
- Father: ''Jeff Healy''
- Brother: ''Alex Healy''
