Inside Emily Atack's romance with handsome nuclear scientist boyfriend Dr Alistair Garner - as she announces she is pregnant with her first child

Emily Atack made the surprise announcement that she is pregnant on Saturday night as she shared the happy news with fans.

The actress, 34, said she was ‘over the moon’ at becoming a mother in the new year. She is reportedly five months pregnant and is expecting her firstborn in April 2024.

While they have not gone public, Emily’s publicist has confirmed that she is dating nuclear scientist Dr Alistair Garner and the pair have reportedly set up home together as they prepare for the baby’s arrival.

She has only been pictured with him once as they were seen getting cosy in London in September.

The star beamed as she walked through the streets of the UK capital with Alistair, who describes himself on LinkedIn as a Materials scientist and electron microscopist specialising in nuclear and aerospace applications.

Inside Emily Atack’s romance with handsome nuclear scientist boyfriend Dr Alistair Garner – as she announces she is pregnant with her first child

While they have not gone public, Emily’s publicist has confirmed that she is dating nuclear scientist Dr Alistair (pictured) and the pair have reportedly set up home together

The pair were spotted walking hand-in-hand around the city as they enjoyed the sunny day before settling down at a cafe together.

She is believed to have been dating Alistair in secret for some time at this point.

An onlooker said: ‘Emily was deep in conversation with Alistair. She had a cocktail and Alistair ordered a beer.

‘Emily looked to be having a great time and couldn’t stop smiling. When they left they were holding hands.’

A pal told The Sun that her relationship with Alistair has gone from strength to strength and that they have moved in together.

The insider said: ‘Emily is delighted by the happy news and has been pleased to tell family and close friends about her little one on the way.

‘It’s the perfect end to her year and she feels over the moon.

‘Emily is more than ready to be a mum and it is something she has dreamed of her whole life. Her relationship with Alistair has gone from strength to strength and they’ve moved into together.

The actress, 34, said she was ‘over the moon’ at becoming a mother in the new year. She is reportedly five months pregnant and is expecting her firstborn in April 2024

Emily and the hunky scientist have been pictured together just once over the course of their relationship and she has kept details of her boyfriend very private

Emily was inundated with congratulatory messages from her celebrity friends after announcing her happy news

‘Family is everything to her — she comes from a big one herself and is really close to all her siblings — so she can’t wait to start one of her own. They’ve all rallied around her and delighted in the joyous occasion.’

Alistair describes himself on LinkedIn as a Materials scientist and electron microscopist specialising in nuclear and aerospace applications.

He attended the University of Manchester, where he studied for his PhD and Masters and also worked as a lecturer.

He received his undergraduate degree from Keele University and is thought to be in his mid-to-late 30s.

He is now believed to be a senior consultant for Core Materials at Jacobs – a large US company.

Emily and the hunky scientist have been pictured together just once over the course of their relationship and she has kept details of her boyfriend very private.

She didn’t confirm his identity in her pregnancy post – although her publicist has confirmed they are together – but still referenced him by her repeated use of ‘we’.

Announcing the happy news, she wrote on Instagram: ‘Hello Everyone, it’s been a little while but I’m back with some news. I’m delighted to share with you all that we’re having a baby!!

‘I’ve never been so happy and utterly terrified at the same time. Please go easy on me.

‘Every day is mixed with thrill, fear, joy, hysteria, topped off with a lot of vomiting – a bit like when you’ve just stepped off of the Oblivion at Alton Towers on a hangover.

‘I’ve got to know my body on such an insane level. It’s made me appreciate the one I’ve been given SO much, I’m doing my absolute best to make it a home for the little squid I’m growing.

‘We can already sense the baby is reclined on a mattress of peanut butter and jam sandwiches in there, demanding more chocolate buttons.

‘I’m so happy to be writing all of this to you all. You’ve always stuck by me through the years, do stick around to watch me enter my mum era. Christ. Let’s go.’

Emily had been single since she split with her former Big Brother star and tree surgeon ex-boyfriend, Liam McGough, last year.

They sparked rumours that they were back together in July after they spent the evening together with some pals.

However, pals of the pair said they were just good friends.

Liam was a housemate on the 2007 series of Big Brother when he finished in third place, losing out to winner Brian Belo.

Emily has previously been linked to a number of men, including singer Harry Styles, comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Seann Walsh, and footballer Jack Grealish.

The TV star and Manchester City footballer Jack were said to have enjoyed a secret six-week fling while he was still dating girlfriend Sasha Attwood – something the pair have vehemently denied.

He and Emily have only been pictured together in public once – as they enjoyed a drinks date together in London this September

Her celebrity pals were quick to take to the comments section of her Instagram post to share their congratulations with the star.

Oti Mabuse gushed: ‘Yesssssss!!!!’ while Giovanni Fletcher wrote: ‘Congratulations you beautiful human! Xxxx’

Denise Van Outen commented: ‘Congratulations xxx wonderful news,’ and Ashley Roberts said: ‘Aww congrats chica!!’

Kimberley Walsh wrote: ‘Ah amazing news! Huge congratulations!’ while Stacey Dooley also shared her well wishes.’