Emily Atack’s boyfriend and dad of baby is step-cousin she’s known for 30yrs as star counts down to birth of first child

EMILY Atack’s new man is her step-cousin, who she grew up with and has known for over 30 years.

The 34-year-old announced this week she is expecting her first child with scientist Alistair Garner, but has kept their romance underwraps.

The Sun can reveal 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, has only been pictured publicly with Dr Alistair on one occasion – in September of last year and has shared very little details about the romance.

An insider said: “Emily and Alistair consider themselves more family friends but they are cousins who aren’t related by blood.

“They grew up together and have always got on really well, but last year they started to get closer.

“It has been a really natural evolution of their friendship and they both have strong feelings for each other.

“Emily and Alistair were thrilled when they found out they were expecting and are really looking forward to becoming parents.

“Their respective families are totally supportive and have told them they think they’re a lovely couple.

“It is a really exciting time for them.”

The pair often spent time together on family holidays with the large Robbins brood.

Emily was very close to her uncle Steve – who fans say looked like Richard Gere – and was heartbroken when he died last year.

Dr Steve - who was an oral surgery specialist - passed away from cancer in July 2023.

In a now deleted post, Emily wrote: "It breaks my heart to say that on Friday we lost my beautiful uncle Steve.

"I often shared photos and stories with you all on here about him because I simply adored him. Everybody did.

"The smartest and funniest soul you could ever wish to have in your company. Always sharing his talents and love for music, cooking, hiking and writing. Just a few of many. He appreciated every single day he was here, his zest and enthusiasm for life was infectious.

"I am truly blessed and honoured to have some of my most treasured memories with you Uncle Steve aka ‘Uncle Beef’, The Mountain Man. The light of our lives. I love you so much and I will miss you beyond belief. May you live on through the music and the mountains.”

Emily and Alistair have set up home together to prepare for their child’s arrival.

Alistair attended the University of Manchester, where he gained his PhD and also worked as a lecturer.

According to his Linkedin he is a "materials scientist and electron microscopist specialising in the degradation of high performance alloys for nuclear and aerospace applications".

His current job is thought to be a Senior Consultant at Jacobs, a huge American company.

Emily didn't mention him directly in her pregnancy statement, but made his presence known as she said: "We can already sense the baby is reclined on a mattress of peanut butter and jam sandwiches in there, demanding more chocolate buttons."