Emily Atack speaks out on 'damaging and awful' claims that she is dating her cousin

Former Inbetweeners star Emily Atack has spoken out against rumours that she is dating her cousin.

The 34-year-old spoke about her relationship with boyfriend Alistair Garner, who is a nuclear scientist, for the first time, touching on the claims which she has dubbed as 'awful', as it has impacted her family.

Atack, best known for playing Will's love interest Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the E4 classic The Inbetweeners, became a mum back in June this year, as she welcomed son Barney James Garner with her partner.

The actress has hit back at 'cousin' rumours (Instagram/emilyatack)

The couple have reportedly known each other for decades through their families, as it is said that Emily's mum, who happens to be actress Kate Robbins, is sisters with Alistair's step-mum Jane Garner.

However, it should by said that it's only a relation through marriage, i.e sister-in-law.

Atack was first romantically seen with her partner back in September 2023 as they were snapped walking hand in hand together in London, enjoying some drinks in the British capital.

According to a source at the time, they 'couldn't stop smiling' as they left together while 'holding hands'.

However, Atack has revealed that since the news on their relationship dropped, she has been suffering from a number of false comments about the relationship she has with the father of her child.

Speaking in an interview with the Guardian, she revealed: "There were so many articles which were really hurtful, trying to make out there was something untoward about my relationship,

"There were headlines saying that I was dating my cousin, which is very damaging, very awful," she highlighted.

The couple have a child together (Instagram/emilyatack)

The 34-year-old went on to explain: "We’re not related in any way. I think some family members found that very tough. It’s anger towards women. Men are so angry with sexy women. It’s like, ‘We’ll give you a little bit of power, but not too much. Here, you look nice on this front cover, but also, you’re a fat, ugly pig.’”

Atack's damning words sum up what the couple have been going through over the past year or so in the public eye, as she has no blood relation to her other half.

Garner is a graduate of the University of Manchester, obtaining a PhD at the institution, while also working as a lecturer.

It is stated on the University's website that the boffin is a 'Materials scientist and electron microscopist specialising in the degradation of high performance alloys for nuclear and aerospace applications'.