Emily Atack’s exciting baby announcement came with an unexpected twist – her beau and the father of her impending bundle of joy happens to be her step cousin, a revelation exclusively unearthed by MailOnline.

The actress, famed for her role in ‘The Inbetweeners,’ joyously shared the news of her pregnancy with her boyfriend, Dr. Alistair Garner, on Instagram. Accompanying a captivating black-and-white photo flaunting her blossoming bump, the 34-year-old expressed her delight at being five months along and eagerly awaiting an April due date, garnering overwhelming support from her 1.9 million followers.

However, what wasn’t initially disclosed was the unique connection between Emily and Alistair. Their relationship roots extend back almost three decades, stemming from Emily’s aunt’s relationship with Alistair’s father, eventually culminating in marriage in 1994. Emily’s mother, Kate Robbins, is the sister of Alistair’s stepmother, Jane Garner, cementing this familial tie that brought the couple together in an unexpected way.

Their close-knit family dynamic was showcased in a 2017 photo where Alistair, a 37-year-old nuclear scientist, was pictured among Emily’s female relatives, his arm casually draped around the star’s sister, Martha, captioned as “just one of the girls.”

While Emily’s pregnancy announcement omitted Alistair’s name, choosing to refer to the couple as ‘we,’ their bond has been growing stronger over the past year. The duo recently made a significant step by moving in together in anticipation of their new arrival, much to the delight of their families.

Despite keeping their relationship under wraps initially, Emily and Alistair have emerged stronger, buoyed by the support and excitement of their loved ones. MailOnline reached out to Emily’s representatives for further details.

Alistair, with a background in nuclear science, pursued his PhD at Manchester University, supported by Rolls Royce, before delving into research and lecturing. Currently employed as a materials scientist at Jacobs, the couple was spotted together in London’s Chinatown in September, hand in hand, unaware to the public of Emily’s pregnancy at the time.

The couple’s story is interwoven with familial connections and shared experiences, creating a foundation for their unexpected yet cherished journey into parenthood.