Before it was discovered that Emily Atack was pregnant with her step-cousin Alistair Garner, she described her strong bond with her cousins.
The former Inbetweeners actor is expecting her first child with partner Alistair, which she announced last month.
She has kept their connection fairly private, although scientist Alistair is the son of Emily’s late uncle, Dr Stephen Garner, who married Emily’s aunt Jane Robbins in 1994.
As a result, the pair are step-cousins with no blood tie, and they have always considered one other as pals, according to an informant.
Emily, 34, revealed out about her close relationship with her cousins in her 2019 autobiography Are We There Yet, describing them as the ‘greatest friends I ever had.’
She wrote: ‘Cousins are the best invention since the Game Boy. They are basically 50% sibling, 50% mate. You look the same but different…
‘You understand each other on a deep, deep, level and you have a smidgen more social etiquette towards them than your brother or sister…’
According to the Mail Online, she added: ‘It makes me sad for my friends who don’t have that relationship with their cousins, because mine were the best friends I ever had. They are still my best friends to this day.’
Emily went on to describe their ‘absolutely gorgeous’ looks and said they would ‘spend spring days terrorising each other’ while growing up.
An insider recently claimed that Emily and Alistair had grown close over the past 12 months and that it was ‘unexpected but their family is delighted for them.’
‘They make a great couple and everybody is excited for their new arrival,’ the source added.
Emily was close to Alistair’s father, Dr Stephen, and sent a moving tribute for him when he died of cancer last year.
The presenter revealed her pregnancy news just before New Year’s Eve and requested followers to “be gentle” with her during her pregnancy.
‘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!!’ she began her Instagram post.
‘I’ve never been so happy and utterly terrified at the same time. Please go easy on me.’
She continued: ‘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.’