As former Inbetweeners star Emily Atack prepares for a fresh role in the Disney Plus series Rivals, inspired by Dame Jilly Cooper’s steamy book series of the same name, we look back on the actress’ star-studded love life.
The 34-year-old is all set to play the quietly ambitious Sarah Stratton in the upcoming drama that guarantees plenty of steamy scenes right from the start.
Joining her is a stellar cast featuring Doctor Who’s David Tennant, Poldark’s Aidan Turner and EastEnders’ Danny Dyer in central roles. The line-up also includes Alex Hassell, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Lisa McGrillis, Luke Pasqualino, Catriona Chandler, Gabriel Tierney, Gary Lamont and Lara Peake.
Ahead of Emily’s new role that is sure to increase her profile on the world stage, we take a look at her love life and the path that led to her fairytale ending with her scientist partner, Dr Alistair Garner.
Liam McGough
Before finding happiness with her scientist beau, Emily had a difficult split from Big Brother’s Liam McGough following their short-lived relationship in 2022.
After friendship turned to romance, the pair eventually got serious, with Emily introducing the former reality star to her family. Liam was even spotted watching Emily’s comedian mum Kate Robbins perform a stand-up gig in London.
A source said of their break-up at the time: “Emily and Liam have been friends for a long time and were together for seven months, but sadly have decided to separate.
“They kept their relationship private for a while and only went public when the news broke that they were together. Sadly, they decided they were better off as friends and parted ways a few days ago, but it’s all very amicable.”
Harry Styles
All the way back in 2012, it was rumoured Emily had struck up a romance with One Direction superstar Harry Styles, though the pair never confirmed it at the time.
However, Emily admitted they had enjoyed a brief romance the following year, telling HELLO!: “Yeah, we had a short-lived thing. But we were never boyfriend and girlfriend. Harry and I had fun, then went in opposite directions. We haven’t spoken in a while.”
Dougie Poynter
Emily reportedly had a short relationship with McFly bassist Dougie Poynter after she rose to fame, according to The Sun.
A source said at the time that “they’d been friends for a long time” and that it had all been “quite light-hearted and nothing serious”.
Ziggy Lichman
Back in 2018, there were rumours of Emily dating former Big Brother star Ziggy, with a source telling the Daily Star: “Emily is far from single. It’s probably the worst kept secret around where they live – they’re always together.
“When they met this summer they realised how much they liked each other and started dating. So far it’s going really well. They’re both really fun and have a great sense of humour. They make a brilliant couple.”
Rob Jowers
I’m a Celebrity star Emily previously awarded high praise to her film executive boyfriend Rob Jowers, saying at the time: “He is the man I have been waiting for.”
Back in 2019, she shared: “I feel very lucky. I think that timing is everything – and I think that I have met Rob at a time when I am ready to get into a relationship again. “I feel like I have learned from all the other things. So far, we have had the most wonderful trip to Paris and we are going to Spain.
“I have had loving relationships and I’ve had toxic ones – and I now feel that I have got a good sense of what it takes to make a good one.”
While things didn’t work out, it seems Emily would meet her true Prince Charming just a few years after that.
Giovanni Pernice
The Italian dancer and Emily were seen enjoying a kiss at a BRITs afterparty in 2022 and on a night out together in 2017. However, posting to his Instagram stories, Giovanni appeared to laugh off the reports and indicated to fans that they weren’t in a relationship.
Dr Alistair Garner
When Emily Atack announced her happy pregnancy news, she was heartbroken to see many cruel comments claiming she was “dating her cousin”.
The TV presenter finally found love with partner Dr Alistair Garner, with whom she welcomed a baby boy in 2024, telling fans her “dreams had come true”.
She has since opened up about the “damaging” comment she received after sharing her announcement with nuclear scientist boyfriend Alistair, who she has known for decades through family connections.
The pair aren’t related by blood at all but by marriage, as Emily’s mum Kate Robbins is reportedly the sister of Alistair’s step-mum Jane Garner.
Discussing the “awful” rumours and their impact on her family, she told the Guardian: “There were so many articles which were really hurtful, trying to make out there was something untoward about my relationship.
“There were headlines saying that I was dating my cousin, which is very damaging, very awful. We’re not related in any way.
“I think some family members found that very tough. It’s anger towards women. Men are so angry with sexy women. It’s like, ‘We’ll give you a little bit of power, but not too much. Here, you look nice on this front cover, but also, you’re a fat, ugly pig.'”
Emily was first linked to Alistair back in 2023, when the pair were seen holding hands in London, and a source said she “couldn’t stop smiling”.
Alistair studied for a PhD at the University of Manchester and also worked as a lecturer and it’s now believed he works as a Senior Consultant and Technical Lead for Core Materials.
Emily announced the birth of their adorable baby boy in June via Instagram, writing: “We have a beautiful son. Barney James Garner. All my dreams have come true.”
The synopsis for Danny’s forthcoming drama series, Rivals, details the setting and plot: “Set in England 1986, Rivals is an adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s second book in the Rutshire Chronicles that follows Rupert Campbell-Black, a notorious rake and famous showjumper before he quit for a career in politics, as he joins forces with his new neighbour Declan O’Hara to overthrow local unscrupulous television magnate Lord Tony Baddingham by bidding for his Cotswolds based independent television franchise.”
The storyline intensifies as relationships intertwine, with the summary continuing: “But Rupert and Declan’s plans are disrupted by a blossoming romance between the famously womanising Rupert and Declan’s innocent daughter Taggie O’Hara, a love triangle between Rupert, Tony and his right-hand woman, the brilliant American producer Cameron Cook and Declan’s stormy relationship with his wife the dazzling actress Maud.
“In the backstabbing world of television where it is every man and woman for themselves, can ‘true’ love really blossom?”
Rivals premieres Friday, October 18, exclusively on Disney+.