Nikki Sanderson Shares Pregnancy Update as Anthony Quinlan Sends Sweet Message
Hollyoaks and Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson and her partner Anthony Quinlan have received an outpouring of support from fellow soap stars as they prepare to welcome their first child together. The couple, who have been in a relationship since 2022, announced their pregnancy in a heartwarming Instagram video posted on Christmas Eve.
Heartwarming Announcement and Social Media Updates
In the festive video, the expectant couple were filmed decorating their Christmas tree together, hanging baubles before opening a special box to reveal their most significant ornament. The tree decoration featured a photograph of their baby scan with the message "Baby Quinlan: Arriving 2026". The caption simply stated: "Merry Christmas from the 3 of us. Baby Quinlan due Spring 2026."
Nikki, 41, has continued to update her followers on her pregnancy journey, recently posting a beautiful photograph of herself gently resting her hand on her expanding bump. The soap actress wore a white crop top paired with chequered trousers for the picture, captioning it: "Living in @anthonyquinny clothes right now... especially his pj bottoms.... Thanks hun #whatsyoursismine #sharing #pregnant #maternity #baby."
Anthony responded with affectionate humour: "Oi! Gimme back my Rupert kecks (laughing face) you and bump do look better in them though."
Overcoming Challenges on the Path to Parenthood
The couple's pregnancy comes after considerable challenges in reaching this milestone. In conversation with OK! Magazine, the actress revealed they endured a two-year battle to conceive and had already begun IVF preparations before naturally falling pregnant.
"Because we'd had a few times where it wasn't the result we wanted, it was like, 'Is this for real?'" Nikki explained. "We've had a lot of ups and downs in our journey to becoming parents and it's been really hard on us."
Anthony confessed they had nearly given up hope, revealing: "We were kind of resigned to the fact that we may need assistance via IVF. We wanted this so much, and we were just hoping, hoping, hoping."
Soap Star Support and Career Backgrounds
Former colleagues of the pair filled the comments with praise for Nikki's pregnancy announcement. Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan wrote: "So so beautiful x", while Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Waring commented: "Beautiful", accompanied by a series of love hearts.
Jessica Fox also praised her former Hollyoaks colleague: "Oh look at you", whilst Alex Fletcher simply posted a love heart.
Nikki Sanderson is renowned for her roles as Candice Stowe in Coronation Street from 1999 to 2005 and Maxine Minniver in Hollyoaks, a character she portrayed from 2012 until her departure last year. Anthony Quinlan played Gilly Roach in Hollyoaks for six years until 2011 before portraying Pete Barton in Emmerdale from 2013 to 2020.
As the couple prepares for parenthood this spring, their journey has captured the hearts of fans and colleagues alike, marking a significant personal milestone after their challenging path to conception.
