Emily Atack, 35, announces engagement to partner Alistair Garner as she issues heartfelt 5-word statement

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Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 19/07/2025

- 07:22

The Inbetweeners and Rivals star shared a sweet snap on social media to announce the news

Rivals actress Emily Atack has announced her engagement to boyfriend Alistair Garner, revealing the news on Instagram Friday evening with a photograph showcasing her diamond ring.

The 35-year-old actress shared the announcement with her followers, posting an image of herself embracing her shirtless fiancé whilst displaying what appeared to be an emerald-cut diamond on a gold band.


Atack captioned the post "It's Friday, I'm in love" alongside three diamond ring emojis, referencing The Cure's 1992 hit single.

The couple, who welcomed their son Barney in June 2024, received an outpouring of congratulations from celebrity friends and fans alike following the announcement.

Emily Atack

INSTAGRAM

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Emily Atack announced the news of her engagement on Friday evening

The engagement comes as Atack is currently filming the second series of the Disney+ drama Rivals, in which she plays Sarah Stratton.

The couple's relationship became public in 2023, though they have known each other for nearly three decades through family connections.

According to reports, Atack's mother is the sister of Alistair's stepmother Jane Garner, who married his father Stephen in 1994.

In the engagement photograph, Atack was seen wearing a white vest top whilst nestling into her partner, with her ring prominently displayed against his bare chest.

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Emily Atack

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Emily Atack is currently filming the second season of Rivals for Disney+

The ring appeared to feature a square or emerald-cut diamond set on an elegant gold band.

Their son Barney James arrived in June last year, with Atack later describing the birth as "very difficult" and revealing she underwent an emergency caesarean after 12 hours of labour.

Speaking about her partner in an interview last year, Atack described Garner as her "literal rock" and said: "I couldn't do life with anyone else but him."

Garner, 38, is a materials scientist specialising in aerospace and nuclear applications.

The actress previously revealed she "couldn't have endured" her difficult labour with anyone else, praising his calm demeanour during the birth.

Celebrity friends were quick to offer their congratulations in the comments section. Former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore wrote: "Yassssss! Delighted for you both you cuties xxx."

Emily Atack

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Emily Atack and her fiancé shared another snap showing off her ring soon after the announcement

Singer Fleur East added: "Woooo! Let's gooo!!! Congrats," alongside two love heart emojis, whilst Sophie Ellis Bextor shared heart and clapping hand emojis in response to the news.

Atack's Rivals co-star Bella Maclean, who plays Taggie in the series, expressed her excitement with an enthusiastic "AHHHHHHHHHHH" followed by multiple heart emojis.

Emily Atack

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Emily Atack shot to fame as part of the Inbetweeners cast

Celebrity Juice star Leigh Francis was amongst those who attended Barney's first birthday party last month, where Atack shared photographs from the star-studded celebration on Instagram.

Atack is currently filming the second series of Rivals, the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel.

Her character Sarah Stratton, wife of local Rutshire MP Paul Stratton, whose character ended the first series with a pregnancy revelation following affairs with multiple characters.