WHEN Essex’s most famous former Casanova Mark Wright hooked up with TV’s most gorgeous actress many weren’t sure it would last.
But now 10 years later, Mark and his wife Michelle Keegan are swapping red carpets for nappies after welcoming their first child, baby daughter Palma, into the world.
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Now they’ve entered their baby bubble phase and life couldn’t be sweeter.
Pals reveal Palma is the much-longed for baby for TV’s most popular pair, who grafted on their careers to help plan for their dream future – and success came knocking.
Not only did they reach the top of their game in the presenting and acting worlds, they built their dream home for their family from scratch and it resembles a modern palace.
The couple – who have spent years creating the property – made it clear they were hoping to have babies as they included a playroom in the first architect drawings for their mega mansions.
From the outside it looks like a fairytale, but to them, it has been hard graft and has all been leading up to this special moment of becoming parents.
They know being a mum or dad is the hardest job in the world. It can test a relationship like nothing else.
They have prepared sensibly and successfully to ensure they are the best parents and their little baby girl is the luckiest girl in the world.
Insider
But sources say Mark and Michelle are raring to go and are riding the wave of nesting with their little one.
Insiders said: “Mark and Michelle have both been longing for this moment forever – and everything they have done in their lives has been building up to this.
“They have prepared sensibly and successfully to ensure they are the best parents and their little baby girl is the luckiest girl in the world.”
Towie legend Mark made no secret of his desire to start a family of his own having spent years being the doting uncle to his three nephews.
And his mum Carol would often talk about how much she wanted them to have a child, saying on Loose Women: “‘I love children, and I love kids so when it happens, there’s no mum that won’t say they don’t want to be a grandmother because everyone looks forward to that.”
Baby Palma Elizabeth was born in London’s exclusive Portland hospital used by the royal family.
The pair were flooded with congratulatory messages after they shared a stunning photo of their baby in a delicate crochet bonnet and dress.
Body Coach star Joe Wicks wrote to pal Mark: “FFS I’m crying over here. I know how much you’ve wanted to be a dad.”
Mark’s former Towie castmate and best pal James Argent added: “She’s perfect.”
The couple were dealt a blow when they suffered a break-in at their Essex home, but they didn’t let it cloud their final weeks of pregnancy.
Michelle’s pals hosted a beautiful baby shower for her and she spent time relaxing in her favourite place, Majorca, with Mark.
They spent time there when Michelle found out she was pregnant but waited almost six months to announce the happy news, before posting a photo which was also taken in Majorca.
“Palma holds a special place in Michelle and Mark’s hearts. They spent time there when no one knew she was expecting,” the insider said.
FAMILY FIRST
Despite spending huge chunks of their relationship thousands of miles apart — with Mark hosting TV gigs in LA and Michelle filming hit dramas across the globe — they made it work, always with one shared goal in mind: building a family together.
Michelle flew back and forth to visit Mark in LA after her husband won his dream presenting role on the US TV show Extra.
The rare opportunity came in 2017 and Mark was an instant hit with American audiences, staying on their screens for three years.
However, those closest to him knew it could only last so long.
The presenter missed his large Essex family and of course Michelle, saying he was lonely in glitzy LA and quit the job of a lifetime to return to Essex.
But as he returned home to the UK, Michelle was off again.
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She jetted to South Africa, Nepal, and Malaysia for three years to film the military drama Our Girl.
She recounted at the time: “I look back now and think I can’t believe I did that. We had to wear leech socks because there were so many leeches, and all the crew, because they wore shorts, were getting bitten by leeches all the time.”
Now both of them will focus on family, not fame
Insider
The ex-Cobbles actress was filming in Australia for the second series of BBC drama Ten Pound Poms, which returned to telly this week.
She was then cast in the Netflix show Fool Me Once – beating Julia Roberts to land the thriller role and star opposite legendary Dame Joanna Lumley.
A source revealed: “Michelle’s goal was to crack America and she did more than that – she became a global hit with her No1 Netflix show and it’s more than she ever dreamed of, it meant she could finally take time out professionally and was happy to finally concentrate on being a mum after achieving her career dreams.
“Now, we’re going to see very little of them on TV as they focus on family life.”
Mark Wright’s career timeline
Since rising to fame over a decade ago as a reality TV star, popular personality Mark Wright has gone on to enjoy a successful career.
- The Only Way is Essex (2010-2011, regular): Mark was an original Towie cast member from its October 2010 launch and spanning series 1-3. He left the programme in 2011 but has returned for a handful of cameos.
- I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (2011): After leaving Towie, Mark signed up for the famed ITV jungle. He finished in second place behind McFly star Dougie Poynter.
- Heart (2012-2017; 2019 – present): Mark first joined radio station Heart in 2012, leaving five years later to pursue work in the United States. He made a return to the station in July 2019.
- Strictly Come Dancing (2014): The star took to the Strictly ballroom in 2014, finishing fourth behind Caroline Flack, Simon Webbe and Frankie Bridge.
- The Dengineers (2015-2017): Mark was a co-presenter of the children’s programme for its first two series. After his departure, later hosts have included Joe Swash and Meryl Fernandes.
- Extra (2017-2020): Mark was an entertainment reporter for this US outlet for three years.
- The Bachelor UK (2019): A revived UK iteration of the popular American dating show. Mark’s version of the programme aired on Channel 5.
- The Challenge UK (2023): Another UK rendition of an American format, this aired on Channel 5 in February 2023.
- Clean It, Fix It (2024 – present): Mark has joined the popular BBC daytime show from its fourth series onwards.
FAMILY OVER FAME
Now, with their baby girl finally here, the couple are ready to step back from the spotlight and soak up every moment of parenthood behind closed doors with their families and close knit circle of friends.
“Now both of them will focus on family, not fame,” the source says.
Mark has always loved the glitz and glam of showbiz, but friends say he’s happiest at home with Michelle and their families.
“Mark likes his showbiz life, but he prefers being at home with Michelle — she is a lot more private and also happiest at home with her dogs.”
PROTECTING PALMA
With Mark and Michelle’s huge following and high-profile status, it’s no surprise brands will be lining up with mega-money deals for baby endorsements.
But after a terrifying burglary at their Essex mansion last month, the couple are expected to choose to keep their little one out of the limelight, for now.
The source said: “They will be bombarded by offers of huge amounts of money to promote baby brands, child clothing ranges and big money deals to film their own reality show at home.”
“But the recent burglary on their well-known Instagram famous home could have put them off for now — their little girl is their most treasured asset now and they just want to focus on her.”
After years of hard work, long-distance struggles, and building their dream home, Mark and Michelle finally have everything they’ve ever wanted. And for these two, it turns out the biggest prize of all isn’t fame or fortune – it’s family.
It’s always been family first.
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