Nikki Sanderson Shares Heartwarming Pregnancy Update with Baby Bump Video
Hollyoaks actress Nikki Sanderson has shared an absolutely adorable update in the middle of her pregnancy journey, posting a video that shows the progress of her growing baby bump. The 41-year-old actress, best known for her role as Maxine Minniver in the Channel 4 soap, announced her pregnancy in December and is expecting her first child with fellow soap star Anthony Quinlan.
Festive Pregnancy Announcement
The couple originally shared their happy news over the festive period, announcing the pregnancy with a touching Instagram video that quickly captured fans' hearts. In the emotional clip, Nikki and Anthony are seen decorating their Christmas tree together before opening a special box to reveal a bauble featuring their baby scan. The ornament clearly reads: 'Baby Quinlan: Arriving 2026.'
Alongside the video, Nikki wrote: 'Merry Christmas from the 3 of us,' confirming that she is due to give birth this spring. The announcement came after what the actress has described as an emotional journey toward parenthood.
Baby Bump Progress Video
In her latest update, Nikki posted a video on her Instagram showing off the progress of her pregnancy. The clip features the actress cradling her stomach at 16 weeks pregnant, followed by another shot of her just over 28 weeks into the journey. The video is accompanied by the song Quarter Life Crisis by Taylor Bickett, which features lyrics that reflect on how quickly time passes.
Nikki's friends from the entertainment industry rushed to the comments section to share heartfelt messages on the video. TV presenter Helen Skelton wrote: 'that is one lucky baby,' while Jessica Fox called her friend 'Beautiful.' Emmerdale's Laura Norton expressed her excitement at the arrival of the little tot and simply said: 'Eeeek.'
Emotional Journey to Parenthood
At the start of January, Nikki spoke honestly about the journey she's been on with Anthony as they've tried for a baby. Opening up about the experience, Nikki admitted that after repeated disappointment, she and Anthony had begun preparing themselves for IVF treatment before conceiving naturally.
'Because we'd had a few times where it wasn't the result we wanted, it was like, "Is this for real?"' she explained to OK! Magazine. 'Even when we found out, it took a while for it to sink in.'
The actress said the journey had taken an emotional toll on both of them, describing it as one of the most challenging periods of her life. 'We've had a lot of ups and downs in our journey to becoming parents, and it's been really hard on us,' Nikki shared. 'You try to stay positive, but there are moments where it feels overwhelming.'
Anthony's Perspective
Anthony, who previously starred in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, admitted that at times he had almost lost hope that they would conceive without medical assistance. 'We were kind of resigned to the fact that we may need assistance via IVF,' he said. 'We wanted this so much and we were just hoping, hoping, hoping.'
The couple first got together in 2022 and went public with their romance in April of that year. Anthony previously revealed that their relationship began when he messaged Nikki on social media, sparking a connection that has now led to their growing family.
Nikki's Television Career
Nikki has been a familiar face on British television screens for more than two decades. She first rose to fame on Coronation Street in the late 1990s, playing feisty hairdresser Candice Stowe. The role made her a household name and remains a memorable character from that era of the soap.
After leaving Weatherfield, Nikki went on to appear in a number of television dramas before joining Hollyoaks in 2012 as Maxine Minniver. Over more than a decade in the role, she became one of the show's most popular cast members, earning recognition for her portrayal of the complex character.
The actress continues to share updates about her pregnancy journey with fans, providing glimpses into this special time in her life while being open about the challenges she and Anthony faced on their path to parenthood.
