Emily Atack opens up about brutal toll of 'dating her cousin' rumours as she sets record straight on fiancé
Emily Atack has spoken out about how she met her husband-to-be ahead of their pending nuptials after slamming salacious rumours about them 'being related'.
The actress, 36, offered some further context about how her relationship with nuclear physicist Dr Alistair Garner began, as a number of 'damaging' articles emerged that caused a lot of anguish for her relatives.
She previously addressed the 'hurtful' headlines about their romance and set the record straight - and now, ahead of their wedding later this year, she has shared some more details about how they met.
The Bedfordshire-born star, whose memorable role in The Inbetweeners earned her a nickname that she still can't shake today, opened up about how she and the father of her child, 40, got together last month.
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During an appearance on the How To Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, Atack explained that although their love story might seem 'strange' to some people, it isn't actually that unorthodox.
When the pair went public with their romance in September 2023, speculation that they were related was rife.
The Rivals actress later clarified that they are 'not related in any way' while explaining that the rumours had taken a significant toll on her and her fiancé's families.
"There were so many articles which were really hurtful, trying to make out there was something untoward about my relationship," Atack told The Guardian in 2024.
"There were headlines saying that I was dating my cousin, which is very damaging, very awful. We’re not related in any way. I think some family members found that very tough."
For those who are dying to know about the crossover in Atack and Garner's family tree, it turns out they are technically step-cousins. The blonde's mum, actress Kate Robbins, is the sister of Garner's step-mother, Jane Garner.
But as Atack has repeatedly clarified, they 'are not blood related' - which is a point that she reiterated while appearing on the podcast at the end of May.
She told host Elizabeth Day that although her and Garner's romance has an 'interesting' origin story, it's not half as scandalous as it was made out to be.
Explaining she has known her soon-to-be husband for around three decades, Atack said: "I remember meeting him when I was very young, I think I was about five-years-old.
"That might sound strange to some people, but you know, we were just kids then and we would just play together.
"So we reconnected as adults, but kind of going...we've got such a connection and it's a bit confusing and a bit odd, but we really fancy each other."
Explaining the discussions that followed after their mutual attraction had been established, Atack said: "And then, you know, we were kind of going, 'Yeah, but we're not allowed to fancy each other because my auntie is married to your dad - it's weird'.
"And so there was all that kind of back and forth, but we kind of couldn't help it in the end. Also, we're not blood related!"
Atack said that their love truly blossomed as they found solace in one another while dealing with the grief of losing Garner's father Steve a couple of years ago.
"I was there when Steve passed away," she said. "And it was then, in that moment when Steve passed, that we decided that we were never going to leave each other's side.
"Because what are we doing wasting this time? We were going through all these relationships, all these boyfriends and girlfriends that we don't want to be with and we want to be together...and, yeah.
"We decided from literally that moment - we call it 'the hug'.
"There was a moment where, just before Steven had passed away and I was sat with him, I walked out into the corridor of the house and Al just hugged me."
"We didn't stop hugging for about 20 minutes," she went on. "We just held each other for 20 minutes, not saying anything. It was the first time I'd seen Al look so frightened and scared and alone and I just hugged him.
"Steve died really shortly after that. And so we we're bonded by this kind of grief, but also this strength of kind of spirituality in a sense."
She joked that Garner would probably argue against her final point due to his scientific background, before explaining they share a 'really unusual and unbreakable bond'.
"People find it strange, but I think when you know my stories...this is why I'm quite keen to sort of tell all those details of my upbringing and and all of that," Atack added. "I think it makes a bit more sense as to why I've I've decided that I need to be with Al and I and he needs to be with me, and we need each other."
Atack - who also said her other half being 'really hot' was part of his allure - welcomed her 'beautiful son' Barney James Garner with the scientist in June 2024.
The couple are set to tie the knot later this year, and the mum-of-one recently explained she had relished in organising it all - while also revealing that they have set a date.
"I think I’ve nailed it," Atack told Luxury London Magazine about her upcoming nuptials. "We’re getting married in September. I’ve very much enjoyed the planning process.
"Choosing napkins and stuff. I’m like, 'My God, my life is here!'"
Topics: Celebrity, Weddings, Sex and Relationships, Emily Atack
Olivia Burke