Fans of the long-running Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks have been treated to some joyous off-screen news, as two of its beloved stars have announced they are expecting their first child together.
Sweet Social Media Reveal
Actors Nikki Sanderson and Anthony Quinlan shared their happy news with the world on Wednesday 24 December 2025. The couple chose a particularly festive and intimate method to make the announcement, posting a video on Instagram. The clip featured a poignant image of an ultrasound scan, carefully placed inside a delicate Christmas tree bauble, signalling their new arrival due in the coming year.
They affectionately referred to their unborn child as "Baby Quinlan", confirming that the little one is due to arrive in Spring 2026. The announcement has sparked an outpouring of congratulations from fans, friends, and former colleagues across social media platforms.
From On-Screen Romance to Real-Life Family
The couple, who have been a fixture on the Chester-based soap, publicly confirmed their real-life relationship back in 2022. Sanderson, 41, is best known for her role as Maxine Minniver, while Quinlan gained popularity playing Gilly Roach. Their transition from co-stars to life partners has been warmly followed by the show's dedicated audience.
Among the first to publicly share her delight was actress Denise Welch, who portrayed Sanderson's on-screen mother, Trish Minniver. Welch's enthusiastic reaction underscores the close-knit bonds often formed among the soap's cast, which have now extended into genuine personal celebrations.
A New Chapter for the Soap Stars
This pregnancy marks a significant new chapter for both actors, who have spent years entertaining millions of viewers with their dramatic storylines. The news has certainly shifted focus from the fictional turmoil of Hollyoaks village to a very real and happy development in their lives.
As they prepare for parenthood, fans will no doubt be eager for updates and will look forward to potentially seeing how this joyful personal milestone might be celebrated by their supportive fanbase and the wider soap community. The couple's creative and heartfelt announcement video has already set a tone of warmth and excitement for the journey ahead.
