THRILLED Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright last night said “2025 is going to be a special one for us” as they revealed they are expecting their first child.
The couple, 37, announced the news in a sweet post after keeping the pregnancy under wraps for months.
Fool Me Once actress Michelle shared a photo showing off her bump with Heart DJ Mark on a beach, with both all in white.
Pals told The Sun the photo was taken in Majorca early last month.
They own a property on the Spanish island and count it as their second home.
On November 10, Michelle posted pictures from a trip to Majorca and said: “A couple of days in our favourite place before the Christmas build-up begins.”
Michelle and Mark, who have been married for nine years, started telling close friends in the autumn.
A pal added: “They 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 were seen on a date at The Ivy in London on December 21, with Michelle covering her bump with a scarf.
Last week, they were spotted out in Essex with Michelle’s family. The friend added: “Their immediate family have known for a while. They took the pregnancy picture in Majorca.
“It is such a special place to them. Michelle and Mark always knew they wanted a family and the time has never been more right.”
In September 2022, the couple moved into their new Essex home, which took three years to build.
The friend went on: “They are settled and happy and will be starting the New Year with a baby.”
They kept their pregnancy quiet for a long time because they wanted to enjoy every second
A pal
Pals were quick to congratulate them last night. Mark’s best pal Towie star James Argent wrote: “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.”
Model Kelly Brook added: “This is amazing news.”
Actress Helen Flanagan wrote: “So happy for you both.”
Michelle has previously hit back at “sexist” questions about when they would start a family.
She said this year: “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. 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.”
Her 7.3million fans echoed this on last night’s Instagram post, with one writing: “You’ve both always had so many comments and pressure to have kids sooner.
“But you stayed true to yourselves and accomplished so much together now it’s time for you to enjoy your new chapter.”
Another said: “Lovely news. Thankfully people will now stop asking.”
You’re going to be amazing parents. I can’t wait to be an uncle
James Argent
The couple met backstage at The X Factor in 2011. A year later Mark asked Michelle out on a date. They married at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in 2015.
Michelle played Coronation Street’s Tina McInytre for six years until 2014 before landing the leading role in BBC drama Our Girl.
She has starred in Sky’s Brassic and BBC period drama Ten Pound Poms. This year Fool Me Once was one of Netflix’s biggest ever hits, with nearly 100million viewers.
DJ Mark has guest-presented This Morning and featured in a TV series about his bid to revive his football career with Crawley Town.
