Emmerdale’s Emma Atkins welcomes baby boy after secret pregnancy

The real life Charity Dingle is a first-time mum - after managing to keep her pregnancy secret for eight months.

Emmerdale star Emma Atkins welcomes beautiful baby boy after secret pregnancy

by Kayleigh Dray |
Updated on

Emma Atkins welcomed her first child with businessman Tom last month, just before her 40th birthday - but has managed to keep it a secret until now.

Making an official announcement, the Emmerdale star said she was thrilled to become a mum just days before a big birthday.

"We've had a lovely healthy baby boy. He arrived just before my 40th birthday, which was the best present," she said.

It’s not surprising that the Emmerdale star has managed to keep her baby’s arrival so quiet; after all, she managed to keep mum about her pregnancy for eight months.

This was done in a bid to stop people finding out the fate of her character’s long-running storyline on the soap, which culminated in Charity Macey (née Dingle) being sent to prison for fraud.

Check out soaps' sexiest villains including our one true love Cain Dingle

Gallery

sexiest soap villians

Soaps sexiest villain Warren Fox1 of 16
CREDIT: Lime Pictures

Warren Fox, Hollyoaks

Warren Fox first arrived in Hollyoaks back in 2006 and quickly claimed his title of Resident Bad Boy. He managed The Loft nightclub, but his dodgy dealings here were just the start of it! Warren was responsible for the murders of no less than 8 characters (eek!), including his own fiancé Louise Summers on their wedding day (triple eek!). We last saw him driving off – more muscular and tattooed than ever - after kidnapping one of Sienna's twin babies. Watch this space for his return…

Soaps sexiest villains2 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Steve Martin, EastEnders

Spandau Ballet fans everywhere rejoiced when Martin Kemp joined EastEnders as suave businessman, Steve Owen. He quickly became embroiled in feuds with fellow bad boys, the Mitchell brothers and Dan Sullivan. And who can forget the infamous scene where he killed Saskia with a blow to the head using an ashtray in his office? Alas, Steve met his own grizzly end after a dramatic car chase with Phil Mitchell.

Soaps sexiest villains Ross Barton3 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Ross Barton, Emmerdale

The man with the perfect hair quiff and just the right amount of stubble, we first met Ross Barton when he tried to hijack poor Laurel's car – not cool, but he soon patched things up with her. He quickly became the village's biggest ladies' man and got entangled in a love triangle with Charity Dingle and her daughter Debbie (actually, more of a square as Debbie was Ross' brother's fiancé). Despite his knack for breaking hearts, he stole ours when he bonded with little April Windsor after his relationship with her terminally ill mum Donna.

Soaps sexiest villains Brendan Brady4 of 16

Brendan Brady, Channel 4

There was something about Brendan's Northern Irish charm and slightly questionable moustache that just did it for us. Drug dealing, fighting, lying, cheating and gulp murder – sure, he did all the bad, horrid stuff. But it was Brendan's softer side that really sealed Brendan's place in our hearts, which we saw in his love for Ste Hay during their turbulent and addictive relationship.

Soaps sexiest villains Lucas Johnson5 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Lucas Johnson, EastEnders

Forgive us Father for we have sinned by adding reformed drug addict turned religious preacher to the list of soap's sexiest villains. Lucas came to Albert Square in 2008 as the estranged father of Chelsea Fox. He soon turned into a Jekyll and Hyde character when he left his ex-wife Trina to die, killed his new wife Denise's ex-husband then drowned the family dog, Sugar. If that wasn't bad enough, he faked the death of Denise while keeping her locked in a basement and killing another woman to use as her identified body. Seriously sinful stuff.

Soaps sexiest villains Peter Barlow6 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Peter Barlow, Coronation Street

Peter Barlow just can't help himself from bed hopping across the cobbles of Coronation Street. In fact, he even committed bigamy when he married Rover's barmaid Shelley while still married to florist Lucy Richards. Two more love triangles later (that we're aware of!), he's now with ex-wife Leanne's sister Toyah. No, we can't keep up either.

Soaps sexiest villains Cain Dingle7 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Cain Dingle, Emmerdale

Cain Dingle has been Emmerdale's leading bad boy since 2000. He's been involved in many a moneymaking scam, love triangle and good old scuffle. But Cain is a softie at heart, really. He would do anything for his daughter Debbie (whose mother is Cain's cousin, Charity) and he's a very loving guy – just ask the many, many women in the village who can testify this.

Soaps sexiest villains Sean Slater8 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Sean Slater, EastEnders

Troubled but totally gorgeous, Sean Slater is Stacey's brother who arrived in Albert Square in 2006 out for revenge on an old army friend. His baddest –and most bizarre – act, was joining forces with wronged-wife Tanya Branning to help bury her husband Max alive in the basement. Things didn't get better for the red-headed rogue, when he became involved in drugs then kidnapped Roxy's baby daughter, Amy. His CV might not read too well, but he looks great in a tight t-shirt.

soaps sexiest villains Calvin Valentine9 of 16
CREDIT: Lime Pictures

Calvin Valentine, Hollyoaks

Calvin Valentine started out so well when he came into the show as the village's noble police officer – why else would sweet Carmel McQueen have fallen for him? But Calvin's character began to sour when he killed drug-dealer Nigel, who had been selling drugs to his little sister Sasha. Things went from bad to worse and Calvin became involved in dodgy dealings with fellow bad boy Warren Fox then had an affair (and a baby!) with wife Carmel's young cousin Theresa. Calvin met his death when a wronged-Theresa shot him at his wedding, which is why you should never upset a McQueen.

soaps sexiest villains Rob10 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Rob Donovan, Coronation Street

Carla Connor might be a woman you wouldn't want to mess with but it's her brother Rob who proved to have the evil streak in the family. He arrived on the street fresh from prison in 2012 and soon started dating Tracey Barlow while taking part in her illegal schemes. He soon found out about Tina and Peter's affair, which led to Rob killing Tina (sob!) then he tried to pin the blame on Peter. But he showed some humanity when he gave himself up to the police, even if it was only because Tracey called them up.

Soaps sexiest villains Carl King11 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Carl King

Another ladies' man (anyone noticing a pattern here?!) Carl King was one of the rich, single King bachelors at Home Farm. But beyond his serial philandering, Carl slowly yet surely became evil as he accidentally killed a postman, then hit his dad Tom over the head before pushing him out of the window to his death. Carl was later murdered by the equally villainous Cameron in a dramatic showdown during a live episode. His last words were 'I'm indestructible'. Err, sure you are mate. Speaking of Cameron…

Soaps sexiest villains Cameron Murray12 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Cameron Murray, Emmerdale

Cameron was clearly a wrong 'un from the start, when he arrived at the village in search of Debbie after leaving his wife and kids for her, then started another affair with Chas Dingle. He killed three people during his short stint in Emmerdale, including sweet Gennie who overheard his confession to Debbie about murdering Carl King. But Cameron got his comeuppance in the most electrifying way – literally! He grabbed onto a lightbulb after Chas and Debbie escaped the flooded basement he'd been keeping them hostage in.

Soaps sexiest villains Grant Mitchell13 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Grant Mitchell, EastEnders

This list of sexiest soap villains wouldn't be complete without one half of the Mitchell brothers (no offence, Phil). Grant Mitchell has been the ultimate bad boy since first turning up to the square in the '90s, with a bad temper and a tendency to sort out problems with his fists. He's a very proud Mitchell boy and will do anything to defend his family's name, which is why he's been in a feud with pretty much half the square at one point or another. Family honour – what's sexier than that?!

Soaps sexiest villains Tony Gordon14 of 16
CREDIT: ITV

Tony Gordon, Coronation Street

Carla Connor's taste in men continues to prove worryingly bad indeed with our third Weatherfield bad boy who is associated with her. Tony Gordon was the sexy Scot with a ruthless approach to business and wooing the female residents. He takes revenge on Carla's affair with Liam Connor by hiring a hitman to mow him down with a car on his stag night. He later started a relationship with Liam's widow Maria before confessing Liam's murder then meeting his own death after later trying to escape prison. Grizzly stuff.

Soaps sexiest villains Michael Moon15 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Michael Moon, EastEnders

OK, admittedly maniacal Michael Moon wasn't everyone's cup of tea. But some of us were sucked in by the quirky (or just plain weird) charms of Alfie's sharply suited and booted cousin. He manipulated lovers Roxy Mitchell and Janine Butcher, and used them as pawns in the mind-games that he played with half the square. But Janine finally got payback when she murdered him on the kitchen floor with a knife. It's the first and only time we ever cheered on Janine's actions (although we'll never forgive her for Barry).

sexiest soap villains Ste Hay16 of 16
CREDIT: Lime pictures

Ste Hay, Hollyoaks

To end this list on a positive note, here's the ultimate bad-boy-come-good, Hollyoaks' Ste Hay. He first came to our screens as a wee, troubled teenager and father to underage Amy Barnes' baby daughter Leah. He's been involved in drugs, violence, theft – pretty much most crimes going. But we've seen Ste grow into a loving father, loyal brother and dependable lover. His relationship with Brendan might also be one of the greatest love stories of our time. So take a page out of Ste's book, fellow soap-land bad boys.

Cue Emma skipping off merrily to take some much-deserved maternity leave.

“I can't believe we managed to keep it a secret for so long. I am so delighted,” Emma previously said.

However, it seems as if Charity - and Emma - will not be off our screens for her full two year prison sentence.

Speaking on ITV.com, Emma said: "I am leaving probably for about a year because I'm leaving to have a baby which is really exciting.

"I will miss Emmerdale so much but it is a new little journey in my life that I'm taking on now. Argh!

"I can't wait to come back - hopefully within a year."

And an Emmerdale source added: "She's going to be rotting in jail for at least a year."

The actress and her partner Tom are said to be "over the moon" about having a baby boy, so congratulations to the happy duo.

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