Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan has publicly defended his partner, former Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson, after she faced a wave of cruel online abuse following the announcement of her pregnancy at the age of 41. The couple, who have been together since January 2022, revealed they are expecting their first child in December, and Sanderson later shared that she received hurtful comments blaming her for potential health issues due to her age.
Quinlan Responds to Abuse
Anthony, also 41, expressed his anger over the comments, stating: "It aggrieved me a lot and it upset Nick. There were comments like: 'Oh, do you realise now you're pregnant he's going to leave you?' And I was like: 'Do they realise they're talking about the mother of my child and my child?'" He emphasised that the couple are "solid" and vowed never to leave Sanderson "in the lurch."
Quinlan noted that the abuse was directed solely at Sanderson, with critics calling her "selfish" for having a child at her age. He countered: "It's difficult enough as a woman in your forties without that. I hate the terminology — being classed as 'geriatric' in your thirties. I think it's wrong."
Sanderson Speaks Out
Sanderson earlier told The Sun: "Some people said I was selfish to have a baby at 'my age.' Anthony said: 'Do they not know we are the same age?' It's clearly not selfish for him! We're both in our 40s, but it was targeted at me, the female in the dynamic. How can it be selfish for the mother, but not the father?"
She also revealed that some trolls suggested she would be to blame if the baby had any health issues, adding: "It's so hurtful. Why would anyone say something like that?" Additionally, she faced criticism for being unmarried while expecting.
Pregnancy Announcement
The couple announced the pregnancy at Christmas with a sweet video on Instagram. The clip showed them decorating a Christmas tree before Anthony handed Nikki a gift box containing a bauble with a baby scan image. The caption read: "Happy Christmas from the 3 of us" along with a Christmas tree emoji. They also wrote: "Baby Quinlan due 2026" with a heart emoji.
Sanderson, who quit her role as Hollyoaks' Maxine Minniver last April, described the couple as "over the moon" and shared that they are expecting a "lovely little spring baby." The gender reveal last month confirmed they are having a boy.
Famous friends including Helen Flanagan, Samia Maxine Longchambon, and Mandip Gill congratulated the couple. Anthony, who runs an online PT and supplements business, said: "I can't wait till we're a little team of three. I want to shout it from the rooftops!"
