Nikki Sanderson and Anthony Quinlan have shared the beautiful name of their newborn son — and it comes with a deeply personal meaning close to both sides of the family.
The couple have named their first child Anthony James Quinlan.
Their baby boy, affectionately known before birth as “Mini Quinny,” arrived on April 19, weighing a healthy 7lbs 9oz.
Speaking to OK! magazine, Nikki, 42, explained the touching reason behind the name.
“He’s named after his dad and my brother James,” she said. “Two very special men.”
Although the couple have chosen to call their son Anthony, the little one already has several sweet nicknames from family and friends.
Anthony, 41, said different loved ones have started calling him different things.
“A couple of people call him AJ, some Tony,” he said. “I used to get called Toe, so he’s little Toe as well. I love the fact that he’s got my name.”
Before their son’s arrival, Nikki celebrated with a glamorous baby shower at Barca bar in Manchester, where she went all out for the special occasion.
The event featured a blue balloon arch, a stunning cake and plenty of dancing, with Nikki looking radiant in a pale blue dress in honour of her baby boy. Anthony also matched the theme by wearing blue.
During the celebration, Anthony surprised Nikki with an emotional gift — a Louis Vuitton handbag — leaving the actress in happy tears.
Sharing moments from the party on social media, Nikki wrote that before their little man arrived, there had been a baby shower — and that it was “EPIC.”
She said being surrounded by loved ones as they celebrated her son and his upcoming birth felt like a dream.
“I am so lucky and grateful to have such wonderful people in my life,” she wrote. “He… and I… were spoilt rotten.”
Nikki also thanked Anthony, calling him her amazing partner, baby daddy and best friend.
“Having you pop in to see us all made my day,” she added. “Then you go and make me cry happy tears by gifting me the most beautiful bag. I’m one lucky lady and I love you.”
The couple announced the birth of their first child on Instagram last month.
Alongside a sweet photo of their baby boy, they wrote: “Happy due date little man. You blessed our lives a few days earlier than expected and filled our world with so much joy. Daddy and mummy love you so much son.”
Nikki, who left her role as Maxine Minniver in Hollyoaks last April, previously said she and Anthony were “over the moon” when they found out they were expecting.
Speaking about their pregnancy journey, she said they were happy to be welcoming a “lovely little spring baby.”
Nikki and Anthony have been dating since the beginning of 2022, with Anthony previously admitting he was “really, really happy” in the relationship.
Speaking in 2022, he revealed that he had admired Nikki for years.
“I’ve always fancied her,” he said. “She’s mega hot, right?”
He added that the pair had known each other for a long time and laughed off rumours that they met at the gym.
Instead, Anthony said the romance began when he “slid into the DMs.”
“I was lucky enough to get a date and the rest is history,” he said. “All I can say is I’m really, really happy and she’s a very special girl. She’s lovely.”
Now, with the arrival of baby Anthony James, the couple have stepped into an emotional new chapter — one filled with family meaning, love and a name that honours two important men in their lives.
Source: Daily Mail — https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
