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Hollyoaks actress Nikki Sanderson has praised her 'marvellous' boyfriend for boosting her confidence, as she poses in a bikini for the first time in two decades. The 41-year-old star is best known for her role as Maxine Minniver on the Channel 4 soap since 2012, where she was involved in several significant storylines, including domestic abuse and miscarriage. In April 2025, her character, Maxine, left the village in a taxi, planning to flee the country with her daughter, Minnie. Off-screen, Nikki is in a relationship with former Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan, who portrayed Peter Barton on the ITV soap from 2013 to 2020. The couple reportedly began growing closer in 2021, and their relationship appears to be flourishing, according to reports from The Mirror . In an interview with Closer Magazine , Nikki paid a heartfelt tribute to Anthony, crediting him for enhancing her confidence and sparking her interest in fitness as she posed in a bikini. She acknowledged Anthony's enthusiasm for health and fitness as a positive influence, explaining how he has educated her about strength training and nutrition. Nikki stated: "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. "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." Beyond his acting career, Anthony runs a supplements business called Boxed Off and has shared his expertise with Nikki, helping her achieve "the best shape" of her life. 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." Posting on Instagram, Nikki shared the striking photograph of herself in a blue bikini, demonstrating she feels fitter than ever at 41. She wrote: "My first bikini shoot in nearly 20 years, talking all about my health and fitness at 41 exclusively with @closeronline." Admirers and followers of the soap actress were swift to fill the comments with praise for Nikki, with one person writing: "You look incredible." A second stated: "Strong, happy and healthy - the ultimate goal", while a third added: "You look wonderful." Outside of Hollyoaks , Nikki portrayed Candice Stowe in ITV's Coronation Street from 1999 to 2005. The following year, she featured in Holby City as Monica Southworth. From 2008 to 2009, Nikki took on the character of Dawn Bellamy in Heartbeat, and in 2012, she secured the part of Amy Harris in Casualty. *The latest edition of Closer Magazine is available to buy now. You can read Nikki's full interview here .
