It turns out the happy baby news from the former Coronation Street star, Nikki Sanderson came after a much tougher journey than many fans realised. When she shared her pregnancy announcement last Christmas, it looked like pure joy but behind the scenes, Nikki and her partner had spent years wondering if it would ever happen for them.
The Struggle Before The Smile
Nikki has now opened up about what those two years were really like, and it wasn’t easy. She explained that trying for a baby came with repeated disappointments, to the point where she and Anthony Quinlan had started preparing themselves for IVF. After so many letdowns, hope didn’t come easily anymore. Even when Nikki finally discovered she was pregnant, the moment didn’t feel instantly real.
She admitted that after getting results they didn’t want so many times before, her first reaction was disbelief. She kept thinking, “Is this actually happening?” and said it took a while for the news to truly sink in. The emotional impact hit both of them hard. Nikki described the journey as full of ups and downs, saying it was one of the toughest periods they’ve faced together. Staying positive wasn’t always possible, and there were moments when everything felt overwhelming.
Almost Giving Up Hope, But Then…
Anthony has been just as honest about how close they came to needing medical help. He shared that they had more or less accepted that IVF might be their only option. Wanting a baby so badly made the waiting even harder, and at times, he admitted he’d almost lost hope it would happen naturally. That’s what made their Christmas announcement so special. The couple shared a sweet Instagram video where they decorated their tree before opening a box to reveal a bauble with their baby scan inside.
The message on it read: “Baby Quinlan: Arriving 2026,” and it instantly melted fans’ hearts. Nikki captioned the video with, “Merry Christmas from the 3 of us,” and confirmed she’s due to give birth this spring. While the excitement is real, she’s also admitted she still has natural worries after such a long and emotional road to get here.
Coronation Street fans have grown up watching Nikki on screen as Candice Stowe in the late ’90s. Now, with a baby on the way, Nikki has hinted that acting may take a short pause as she focuses on becoming a mum. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.