Pregnant Nikki Sanderson showed off her growing bump as she attended a Mum and Me app event in Cheshire on Thursday. 

The actress, 41, who is expecting her first child with her partner Anthony Quinlan, wore a figure hugging, grey midi dress. 

She teamed her outfit with a pair of trainers and layered over a long wool coat as she arrived hand-in-hand with Anthony. 

Posing for photos before heading inside, Nikki cradled her tummy and smiled for the camera. 

The soapstar was joined at the event by swimmer Rebecca Adlington and her husband Andy Parsons as well as Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans and his wife Kerry-Lucy. 

Nikki announced in December that she was expecting her first child and recently predicted the gender of her child in an Instagram clip. 

Pointing to either girl or boy during the clip, Nikki shared that she has been craving sweet food, is experiencing morning sickness, is carrying low, is clumsy when it comes to balancing, and has the 'pregnancy glow'. 

Asking fans to share their predictions, she captioned the post: 'Boy or Girl? Which do you think we are having? #boy #girl #prediction #guess #oldwivestales.'

The actress announced the incredible news in 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'.