It’s official! Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson, 42, has welcomed her first child, a beautiful baby boy, with her partner Anthony Quinlan. The couple, who have been dating since early 2022, couldn’t be more excited as they share the news of their new arrival.
The much-loved actress, who is known for her role as Maxine Minniver on Hollyoaks, took to Instagram on Saturday, April 25, to announce that her little bundle of joy had arrived a few days earlier than expected. With a heartfelt post featuring an adorable picture of her newborn son, Nikki wrote, “Happy due date little man. You blessed our lives a few days earlier than expected and filled our world with so much joy. Daddy and Mummy love you so much Son.”
In typical Nikki fashion, she shared this special moment with her fans and followers, allowing them to get a glimpse of the incredible joy she and her partner are feeling. The baby, whose name is yet to be revealed, made an early entrance into the world, and by all accounts, he’s already stealing hearts everywhere. Fans flooded the comments with their congratulations, with many famous faces sending their love to the new parents.
Denise Welch, a close friend of Nikki’s, couldn’t hide her excitement. “Nikki!!! Omg!! You’re a mummy. We’re so happy for you both xxx,” she wrote, expressing her genuine happiness for the couple. Likewise, Strictly Come Dancing’s Gorka Marquez shared his joy, exclaiming, “OMG, BEST NEWS GUYS ❤️❤️,” and Hollyoaks star Jessica Fox added, “Massive congratulations! Well done everybody! ❤️.”
Helen Skelton, another familiar face in the world of television, shared love hearts on the post, as Hollyoaks co-star Haiesha Mistry also chimed in with, “Huge congratulations ❤️❤️❤️.”
Even former Hollyoaks co-stars got in on the action. Nadine Mulkerrin wrote, “Congratulations guys – what a head of hair!!! Xxxxx,” while Charley Webb, who has become a long-time friend of Nikki’s, added, “All that hair! just like Buster was. Welcome to the world little one ♡ ♡ ♡.”
The momentous occasion was a long time coming for Nikki, who had always known that motherhood was on the horizon. In an interview with Closer magazine, Nikki had previously revealed that she had always imagined herself as a “boy mum.” With her family even hinting at the possibility of having a son, Nikki couldn’t help but picture a baby boy in her arms. “I just kept envisioning a baby boy,” she said.
She went on to share her joy and how thrilled her partner, Anthony, is to have a son. “Anthony’s thrilled because he’s going to have a mini Manchester United sidekick!” she joked, revealing that her partner is a huge football fan.
In the same interview, Nikki expressed how, during her pregnancy, she had been craving sweet foods and experiencing morning sickness. She was carrying low and glowing with the “pregnancy glow” that often comes with carrying a baby in the spring. Nikki’s excitement was palpable, and she described the entire experience as a life-changing, magical journey.
Nikki, who made the decision to leave Hollyoaks in April 2025 after her character Maxine was written out of the show, has spent the past year focusing on her relationship with Anthony and, of course, preparing for the arrival of their little one. She had already shared the news of her pregnancy with the world in a sweet post last year, explaining how happy she was to be embarking on this new chapter of her life.
“I’m so excited to be a mummy, it’s something I’ve wanted for a long time,” Nikki told The Mirror. “Anthony and I always said that we didn’t mind what we were having as long as our baby was healthy. There was no preference – we just wanted our little one to be happy and healthy.”
But as time passed and Nikki’s pregnancy progressed, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building in her heart. Her intuition kept telling her that she was going to have a baby boy, and with the support of her family and friends, she prepared herself for the exciting life ahead as a first-time mum.
Anthony, who is also no stranger to the limelight from his time on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, has been an absolute rock throughout Nikki’s pregnancy. The couple have been inseparable, and the joy in Anthony’s face is unmistakable every time he speaks about their son. The pair, who officially began dating in early 2022, have grown incredibly close over the past few years, and Anthony couldn’t be more thrilled about the arrival of their little one.
When asked about the couple’s relationship in an interview with The Sun back in 2022, Anthony gushed, “I’ve always fancied her. She’s mega hot, right? We’ve known each other for years… There were rumors we met at the gym, which we had a bit of a laugh about. I slid into the DMs, and that was it. I was lucky enough to get a date, and the rest is history. All I can say is I’m really, really happy, and she’s a very special girl. She’s lovely.”
Throughout the pregnancy, the couple has enjoyed a fairly low-key lifestyle, spending quality time together, focusing on their relationship, and preparing for parenthood. Anthony, who now runs an online personal training and supplements business, couldn’t wait to become a father. He recently shared, “I can’t wait till we’re a little team of three. I want to shout it from the rooftops!”
The excitement surrounding the birth of their son has only grown since the couple’s announcement. As the world watched on, they’ve received a flurry of love from their fans and celebrity friends alike.
In an emotional moment, Nikki shared how the whole experience has brought her closer to her family. “We’ve always had a very close-knit family, and I know they’re all so excited to meet our baby boy,” she said. “It’s going to be so special having him surrounded by so much love.”
The couple are now in the midst of their “new baby bliss,” relishing every moment they get with their newborn son. With so much love and support from friends and family, they are excited to begin this new chapter of their lives and can’t wait to share it with their followers.
The baby boy’s early arrival has only made the couple’s hearts swell with joy, and the duo couldn’t be more grateful for the new addition to their family. As they navigate parenthood together, it’s clear that Nikki and Anthony’s love for one another, and now for their son, is only growing stronger.
Nikki’s followers are eagerly awaiting the name of the little one, but for now, they’re happy to bask in the joy of the couple’s growing family. Keep an eye on social media for any future updates and moments shared by the new parents!
