Emily Atack
Emily Atack – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes
Explore the life and career of Emily Atack — British actress, comedian, and TV personality (born December 18, 1989). Learn about her breakthrough roles, personal struggles, achievements, and inspiring insights.
Introduction
Emily Jane Atack (born 18 December 1989) is an English actress, comedian, and television personality. She first became known for her role as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the E4 sitcom The Inbetweeners, and since then has built a multifaceted career spanning comedy, presenting, documentary work, and advocacy.
Her public voice has also grown stronger in recent years — she has publicly shared experiences of sexual harassment in the industry, and used her platform to campaign for consent, safety, and better protections in entertainment.
Early Life and Family
Emily Atack was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England on 18 December 1989. She is the daughter of Kate Robbins (an actress, singer, and impressionist) and Keith Atack (a musician, formerly of the pop band Child).
On her maternal side, she is related to comedian Ted Robbins and actress Amy Robbins; and more distantly, she is a first cousin twice removed of Paul McCartney (through family connections) .
At the age of 16, she left school and moved to London with her sister, Martha, to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough & Acting Roles
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Emily’s breakout role came when she was cast as Charlotte Hinchcliffe on The Inbetweeners (2008–2010) — a comedic performance that helped introduce her to a young audience.
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She has appeared in a mix of television formats — drama, comedy, sketches, and reality. Her credits include Rock & Chips, Little Crackers, The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, Tracey Ullman’s Show, and feature films like Dad’s Army.
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In 2010, she competed in Dancing on Ice and became the youngest ever participant on the show at the time.
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In 2018, she took part in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! where she finished as runner-up.
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In 2019 she co-presented I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp.
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From 2020 to 2022, she starred in The Emily Atack Show, a comedy/impression/stand-up sketch show on ITV2 that explores themes relevant to young women.
Documentary, Advocacy & Recent Work
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In 2023, she presented the BBC documentary Asking for It?, in which she dealt with her experiences of cyberflashing and sexual harassment in public and online spaces.
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More recently, she has taken on a dramatic role in the Disney+ adaptation “Rivals”, playing Sarah Stratton.
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She is also set to co-host a new ITV game show called Nobody’s Fool alongside Danny Dyer.
Personal Life & Challenges
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In December 2023, Emily Atack and her partner Dr Alistair Garner (a materials scientist) announced they were expecting their first child.
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In March 2024 she publicly revealed they were expecting a boy.
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Their son, Barney James Garner, was born in June 2024.
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In July 2025, she announced her engagement to Alistair Garner.
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In September 2025, she revealed she had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions over the course of her career — including on set and at wrap parties — and has advocated for better safety measures in the entertainment industry.
Atack has also spoken openly about dealing with online abuse, body shaming, and the challenges of being sexualised in the public eye, particularly in her early career.
Notable Quotes
Here are a few telling quotes from Emily Atack that reflect her perspective and voice:
“I was always the bit of totty” — On how tabloids and media portrayed her early in her career.
She has questioned why a woman doing a nude scene must endure abuse:
“Why can’t I do a naked scene without abuse?”
Regarding her mixed experience in media and public image, she has challenged oversexualization and harassment throughout her career. (Paraphrased from her public statements)
These statements underscore her intention to use her public platform to speak about dignity, consent, and self-respect.
Lessons & Takeaways
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Use your voice to push change
Atack does not just act or entertain — she speaks publicly about difficult topics like harassment and consent, helping broaden awareness. -
Reinventing boundaries
She has successfully moved between comedy, drama, documentary, reality TV, and presenting — showing the value of versatility in media. -
Resilience amid scrutiny
Her career has weathered tabloid pressure, body shaming, abuse, and public visibility — yet she continues to push forward. -
Intersection of art and advocacy
Her creative work and public disclosures complement each other: one legitimizes the other.