MICHELLE Keegan and Mark Wright took their secret pregnancy picture in November.
Pals said the couple took the snap during a winter break to Majorca, which they count as a second home.
Michelle, 37, announced she was expecting her first child with Mark, 37, this evening.
A pal added: “Michelle and Mark went on a winter sun break in early November and chose to take the photograph there.
“It was taken on an empty beach by a friend when they knew no one would spot them.
“Majorca is like a second home to them so it felt special for them to take that photograph there.
“The lighting and the setting was just perfect, it was a beautiful moment.”
Pals told The Sun tonight how Fool You Once actress Michelle and Heart DJ Mark were “thrilled” about their baby news.
One said: “Michelle and Mark kept their pregnancy quiet for a long time because they wanted to enjoy every second.
“Starting a family has been something they have wanted to do for a long time.
“They are both in amazing places in their careers and their family home in Essex is all completed.
“The timing could not have been more perfect.”
Michelle and Mark’s friends inundated them with messages after their Instagram post went live on social media.
Mark’s best friend James Argent commented: “I love you and I’m so happy for you both.
“You’re going to be amazing parents. I can’t wait to be an Uncle.”
Kelly Brook added: “This is amazing news,” while Helen Flanagan wrote: “So happy for you both.”
Their happy baby news comes after Michelle hit back at “sexist” questions about when they would start a family.
Earlier this year, Michelle said: “It’s horrible. People don’t know if we’re trying. They don’t know the background of what’s happening.
“In this day and age, you shouldn’t be asking questions like that. I’m asked purely because I’m a woman.
“But I’m immune to it now – it’s like a reaction, and as soon as I hear it I brush it off as it’s no one else’s business.”
Michelle and Mark first met backstage at The X Factor in 2011 before subsequently bumping into each other at numerous other events after.
A year later, former Towie star Mark asked Michelle out on a date and in 2015 they married at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds.
Over the years the pair have fielded questions about having children – but have made no secret about wanting a large family.
Back in 2018, Michelle told Women’s Health: “I’ve always been broody. I love kids, and I want four, so hopefully in the near future.”
A year later, Mark told The Sun: “We say we’re going to try [for a baby] every year but something comes up with work.
“So it’ll be Michelle filming in South Africa and then I got the job in Los Angeles – so we think, right, we’ll try next year.”
