Hollyoaks star pays tribute to Emmerdale actor boyfriend who changed her life

Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson has credited her ‘marvellous’ boyfriend for increasing her confidence as she poses in a bikini for the first time in 20 years.

The actress, 41, is famed for playing Maxine Minniver on the Channel 4 show from 2012 and featured in some major storylines, including domestic violence and miscarrying a baby.

In April 2025, Maxine departed the village in a taxi after making plans to escape the country alongside her daughter, Minnie.

Away from the small screen, Nikki is dating former Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan, who played Peter Barton on the ITV soap between 2013 and 2020.

Former Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson has paid tribute to her boyfriend (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

The pair reportedly started to grow close in 2021, and it appears their relationship is going from strength to strength.

Speaking to Closer Magazine, Nikki paid a loving tribute to Anthony, crediting him for boosting her confidence and passion for fitness as she posed in a bikini.

She credited Anthony’s passion for health and fitness as a positive influence and explained how he has taught her a great deal about strength training and nutrition.

Nikki said: “Keeping fit was never really a priority in my twenties or thirties – now I’m training around three times a week, and I can’t get enough of walking.

Nikki Sanderson has explained how her boyfriend Anthony Quinlan changed her life (Image: Ian West/PA Wire )

“It’s so underrated physically and mentally. I aim for 10,000 steps a day, even if it means walking around my home to get the last few in. Of course, it helps that my partner is very fit.”

Away from acting, Anthony owns a supplement company called Boxed Off and has shared his own expertise with Nikki, which has helped her to get into “the best shape”.

She added, “Anthony really does boost my confidence and builds me up in every capacity.

“We are really happy, we complement each other, we’re a good duo and he’s marvellous. He just makes me feel loved, secure, and happy.”

Nikki as Maxine in Hollyoaks (Image: ©LIMEPICTURES)

Taking to Instagram, Nikki shared the stunning photo of herself dressed in a blue bikini, showing that she feels fit beyond 40.

She wrote: “My first bikini shoot in nearly 20 years, talking all about my health and fitness at 41 exclusively with @closeronline.”

Friends and fans of the soap star were quick to flood the comments section with compliments for Nikki, with one person writing: “You look incredible.”

Nikki is feeling fit at 41 as she shares how her boyfriend has boosted her confidence (Image: Instagram/@niknaksanderson)

A second stated: “Strong, happy and healthy – the ultimate goal”, while a third added: “You look wonderful.”

Away from Hollyoaks, Nikki played the role of Candice Stowe in ITV’s Coronation Street between 1999 and 2005. A year later, she appeared in Holby City as Monica Southworth.

Between 2008 and 2009, Nikki played Dawn Bellamy in Heartbeat, and in 2012, she also landed the role of Amy Harris in Casualty.