31 December 2023 , 14:34
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Crafty Emily Atack subtly hid her pregnancy from fans using some smart tactics to keep her special news a secret until she was ready for the big reveal.
The TV star, 34, is expecting her first child after finding love with her scientist boyfriend Dr Alistair Garner. The Inbetweeners actress said she's so happy yet "utterly terrified" and she told her near two million Instagram followers the wonderful news days after Christmas.
There had been no indication that she is about to become a mum - and that's all down to some clever tricks to pull the wool over our eyes. The actress' relationship with Alistair has gone from strength to strength and they even moved into together earlier this year - now something even bigger is around the corner.
A social media silence and throwback photos helped keep her wonderful secret (Instagram)
Emily decided the time was right on Saturday to make the huge announcement (@emilyatack/instagram)Emily announced the news in a post on Saturday night, posing a photo of her growing baby bump. She penned alongside the snap: "Hello Everyone, it’s been a little while but I’m back with some news. I’m delighted to share with you all that we’re having a baby!! I’ve never been so happy and utterly terrified at the same time.
"Please go easy on me. Every day is mixed with thrill, fear, joy, hysteria, topped off with a lot of vomiting - a bit like when you’ve just stepped off of the Oblivion at Alton Towers on a hangover. I’ve got to know my body on such an insane level. It’s made me appreciate the one I’ve been given SO much, I’m doing my absolute best to make it a home for the little squid I’m growing.
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"We can already sense the baby is reclined on a mattress of peanut butter and jam sandwiches in there, demanding more chocolate buttons. I’m so happy to be writing all of this to you all. You’ve always stuck by me through the years, do stick around to watch me enter my mum era. Christ. Let’s go."
Emily, who is five months pregnant, wasn't keen on anyone finding out before her announcement and took steps to avoid online guessing games. The star went on a social media blackout after her holiday to Sicily in October, when she would have just found out the incredible news. Since then, the once prolific poster has shared very select stories on the platform and hasn't posted on her grid - with the exception of a bump-free throwback snap on birthday a week before Christmas, and posting photos of her dogs.
Then, earlier this month, she announced she returned to social media to offer suggestion as to why fans had been seeing so little of her. Emily said she wanted to "focus on actual real life" after having a "hell of a year". She then went on: "But I'll be back properly soon. Hope you are all living your best hungover lives and getting ready for the family rows and deflated wobbly blow up beds."
However, she was back just days later to confirm her pregnancy.
Fans and friends flocked to Emily's announcement on Instagram, sending their well wishes to the happy couple. With one writing: "Best news ever you are doing amazing and will continue to be amazing because you are an amazing person and can’t wait to see little Squid."
Another joked: "Will Mackenzie has finally delivered." While someone else said: "who gonna be da best mumma? Emily gonna be da best mumma…." A third responded: "Yay What great news Emily and fam. So much to look forward too. You will make an amazing mama."