Emily Atack shares rare update on 'real' relationship admitting she finally 'feels safe'
Emily Atack, 34, described her partner Dr Alistair Garner as the 'kindest man in the world' and said she feels 'at peace' with him, as she gushed over their loving relationship
by Chiara Fiorillo · The MirrorEmily Atack has opened up on her relationship with her partner, Dr Alistair Garner, saying she feels "safe" with him and describing him as "the kindest man in the world".
The 34-year-old actress, who is best known for playing Charlotte Hinchcliffe on the E4 comedy series The Inbetweeners, welcomed her first son, Barney, in June - and said life has been nothing but good since she began dating Alistair, who is a nuclear physicist. The pair were first pictured together last year, but have known each other for years as Alistair, 39, is the son of her aunt's latest husband.
In a new interview, Emily, who recently returned to screens in the Disney+ series Rivals, admitted she felt "lonely" for a long time after years of dating turmoil. However, everything changed thanks to Alistair, as she explained she has now found peace in her relationship and as a mum.
Talking to The Times, Emily said: "I feel like my whole life had been building up to that moment, not just getting a part in that show but also my personal life. It feels like the stars have aligned. That is genuinely how it feels."
She added: "I used to pray to God that I would end up with somebody who made me feel safe, and I'm safe with Al now." During the interview, Emily said that once Rivals finished filming, she was by Alistair's side and supported him while his father was dying.
At that moment, something was born inside them as she recalled: "We were together at the deathbed and then afterwards we left the room and hugged. We held each other for about 20 minutes and we just knew. This was love. This was real."
Addressing the fact that she and her partner have different careers, Emily said this didn't bother her as she admitted she never experienced "proper love" before, adding: "It was never going to be a pop star or a film star. It was never going to be that. I've done all that. I needed security, a solid, stoical person. And I just love how safe I feel. I am completely at peace. I don’t think I ever experienced proper love before because this is it."
When baby Barney was born, Emily took to Instagram to share the happy news with her fans. The actress expressed her happiness in a heartfelt Instagram post, telling her fans that her "dreams have come true."
The new mum penned: "We have a beautiful son. Barney James Garner. All my dreams have come true." Emily first revealed the exciting news of her pregnancy back in December and kept them in the loop by documenting her experiences on social media. Then in a tell-all chat on Loose Women, she disclosed that she had a baby boy on the way as she opened up about her symptoms and thoughts on becoming a mother.
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