SHE spent much of her life in front of the camera, but Emily Atack kept her latest romance very secret.
But now it has been revealed that the mysterious and rather mysterious nuclear scientist with whom she is expecting a child is her half-cousin.
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The couple have known each other for over 30 years Credit: BackGrid
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Emily shared the happy news of her pregnancy with her fans
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Emily Atack’s boyfriend is her half-cousin Alistair GarnerCredit: BackGrid
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The couple (far left) have been pictured together over the years at family celebrations
Emily (34) has only been photographed publicly with Dr Alistair Garner once – in September last year.
However, their friendship goes back much further than that, 30 years in fact.
The Sun revealed that Alistair is the son of her late uncle – Dr Stephen Garner – who married Emily’s aunt Jane Robbins in 1994.
Emily, who is already five months pregnant, was very close to her uncle Steve – who fans say looked like Richard Gere – and was devastated when he died last year.
Dr Steve – who was a specialist in oral surgery – died of cancer in July 2023.
She grew up with Alistair – and the pair often spent time together on family holidays with the Robbins’ large brood.
An insider said: “Emily and Alistair consider themselves more family friends, but they are cousins who are not related by blood.
“They grew up together and always got along very well, but last year they started getting closer.
“It was a natural evolution of their friendship and they both have strong feelings for each other.
“Emily and Alistair were delighted to find out they were expecting and are very much looking forward to becoming parents.
“Their families are fully supportive and have told them they think they make a lovely couple.
“It’s a really exciting time for them.”
Emily and Alistair set up home together to prepare for the arrival of their child.
Alistair attended the University of Manchester, where he obtained his PhD and also worked as a lecturer.
According to his Linkedin, he is a ‘materials scientist and electron microscopist specializing in the degradation of high-performance alloys for nuclear and aerospace applications’.
His current job is believed to be a senior consultant at the major American firm Jacobs.
Emily didn’t directly mention him in her pregnancy announcement, but made it clear that his presence said: “We can already feel the baby snuggled up on the mattress with peanut butter and jam sandwiches inside, looking for more chocolate buttons.”
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The couple (pictured here at a family gathering) kept their romance under wraps
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Emily and Alistair now live together Credit: Backgrid / MJ Pictures
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Alistair with his dad – Emily’s uncle Steve
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