Emmerdale's Anthony Quinlan has hit back at cruel trolls who targeted partner Nikki Sanderson after she announced she was expecting their first child at the age of 41.

The former Corrie actress announced her pregnancy in December and last week said she'd receiving disgusting online abuse which told her 'it'll be my fault if there's anything wrong with my baby' due to her age. 

Last month the couple, who have together since January 2022, revealed to their fans that they were having a boy during their gender reveal. 

Now Anthony, also 41, said: 'It aggrieved me a lot and it upset Nick. There were comments like: "Oh, do you realise now you're pregnant he's going to leave you?" And I was like: "Do they realise they're talking about the mother of my child and my child?".

He went on to insist that the couple were 'solid' and that he would never leave Nikki 'in the lurch' as he vowed to commitment to both her and their unborn child. 

'There were a few things directed at Nick saying it's selfish to bring a child into the world at this age — and yet nothing was ever really directed at me, only at her. 

He went on to tell The Sun: 'It's difficult enough as a woman in your forties without that. I hate the terminology — being classed as 'geriatric' in your thirties. I think it's wrong.

It comes after Nikki said: 'Some people said I was selfish to have a baby at 'my age'. Anthony said: 'Do they not know we are the same age?' It's clearly not selfish for him! 

'We're both in our 40s, but it was targeted at me, the female in the dynamic. How can it be selfish for the mother, but not the father?'.

'Some people also said that if there's anything's wrong with our baby, I'm to blame and I should feel bad for it. It's so hurtful. Why would anyone say something like that?'

She also told The Sun that she has also had messages from trolls who have an issue with the fact the couple are having a baby together but are not married.

The actress announced the news of her pregnancy at Christmas as she wore a figure-hugging red dress where she debuted her bump. 

Sharing a sweet video of a Christmas tree on Instagram, the pair zoomed in on a bauble which had an image of a baby scan. 

The caption simply read: 'Happy Christmas from the 3 of us', alongside a Christmas tree emoji.

They also wrote: 'Baby Quinlan due 2026' with a heart emoji after the former Emmerdale star felt her bump, and the couple embraced in a kiss.

Speaking to The Mirror during a shoot about their pregnancy journey, former Corrie star Nikki, who quit her role as Hollyoaks' Maxine Minniver last April, said the couple are 'over the moon'. 

She said: 'We're happy to say it's going to be a lovely little spring baby.'

In the heartwarming clip, the pair are seen decorating their Christmas tree, then Anthony hands Nikki a gift box, where she pulls out the special bauble. 

Famous friends of the stars rushed to the comments to share their well-wishes to the soon-to-be parents.

Nikki's co-star Helen Flanagan wrote: 'So so happy for you both ❤️✨.'

Another former colleague, Samia Maxine Longchambon, added: 'SOOO happy for you guys! Cant wait to meet baby.'

Hollyoaks actress Mandip Gill commented: 'CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! so happy for you both ❤️.'

Anthony, who previously starred in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale and now runs an online PT and supplements business, said he 'can't wait till we're a little team of three. I want to shout it from the rooftops!'

The loved-up pair have been dating since the start of 2022 after Anthony publicly announced their partnership in April, confessing he was 'really, really happy'.