Emily Atack recently married Dr. Alistair Garner, a long-time acquaintance she has known since childhood. The actress, 36, has been vocal about her past struggles with loneliness and her challenging romantic history.
Atack and Garner, who are stepcousins and grew up together, tied the knot over the weekend. Their relationship developed romantically in 2023, after knowing each other for decades. Atack's mother and Garner's stepmother are sisters. They are not blood relatives.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Barney, in June 2024. Atack described the pregnancy discovery as occurring during their first holiday together in Italy the previous year, calling it the "most perfect day" of her life. They purchased a property together shortly after, and their son was born soon after they moved in. Atack has credited Garner as her "literal rock" during a difficult birth that resulted in an emergency Cesarean section.
Garner, who is referred to by Atack's family as her "nephew," has been supportive of her career, with Atack noting that he collects newspaper and magazine articles about her. The couple became engaged in July of the previous year, and their wedding ceremony took place in the UK, with further celebrations planned in Spain.
Atack's journey to finding Garner followed a series of relationships and reported romances. In 2013, she disclosed a brief fling with Harry Styles in 2012, stating they were never serious. Her longest relationship was a five-year romance with model Jack Varcher, which ended in 2018. During her time on "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" after the breakup, she spoke about needing security and validation from a male partner.
She was also linked to comedian Seann Walsh in 2016, a period that sources described as intense. At the time, Walsh was dating actress Rebecca Humphries, and Atack reportedly believed he was single. An intimate photo of Atack and Walsh surfaced online, which she was reportedly keen to put behind her.
Other reported relationships include a six-month dalliance with producer Rob Jowers in 2019, whom she met at a BRITs after-party. Atack described him as "the man I've been waiting for," but the relationship eventually ended mutually.
In 2021, Atack dated tattoo artist and model Charlie Edwards. They ended their three-month romance due to work schedules and COVID-19 restrictions. Atack paid tribute to Edwards after his death in March of the current year, calling him a supportive friend.
Following Edwards's death, she dated model Jude Taylor, but they split in 2021 after five months, citing hectic work commitments. Rumors also circulated that year about a six-week fling with footballer Jack Grealish, which both parties denied.
In 2022, Atack was reportedly seen kissing Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice at a BRITs party, though it is not believed they officially dated. That same year, her seven-month relationship with tree surgeon and reality star Liam McGough ended amicably, with both deciding they were better off as friends.
Following her split from McGough, Atack openly discussed the difficulties of single life, admitting to experiencing "miserable" bouts of loneliness and crying herself to sleep on occasion. She reflected on the contrast between her public persona of confidence and her private feelings of loneliness and a perceived lack of self-esteem in relationships.