Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright announced they have welcomed their first child together – but the couple have faced a devastating family tragedy in recent months
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have joyously announced the arrival of their first child. The Brassic actress, 37, and the reality TV star, 38, took to social media to share the wonderful news.
The couple unveiled that they are now proud parents to a baby girl named Palma Elizabeth Wright. The heartwarming black and white image shows the couple holding hands with their newborn daughter.
In the caption, they wrote: “Together we have a new love to share… Our little girl” followed by a white heart emoji. The pregnancy was first revealed in a charming post shared in December.
Prior to their announcement, the couple maintained a low profile but occasionally shared minor updates with fans. A month after revealing the pregnancy, it came to light that Mark’s grandfather had passed away.
Mark and his sister Jessica bid their final farewells to their grandad Eddie who died a few months after being rushed to hospital following a fall, as reported in the Mirror.
Mark Wright’s grandfather passes away
In January, it was disclosed that Mark’s cherished grandfather had passed away while “surrounded by his loved ones”. The TV star’s grandad had been battling health issues since a fall in the summer, which led to him being hospitalised.
Mark shared a photo of him and his grandfather as he paid tribute to him. “For 37 years that I have known you Grandad, I wondered and even asked you when I was a little boy numerous times “when do you think you will go to heaven” I posed this question often, because I dreaded it so much,” he penned. “I’ve had messages from hundreds of people, some I haven’t seen in over 20 years. EVERY message has the same words written in some way. GENTLEMAN – KIND – LEGEND! ! All these things you were and more.
“You loved your family so much and your biggest success is how close we all are and how many of us there is. You never got angry, you backed us no matter what, you never said no, even when I asked you to come on my stag do in Vegas at 83 (you still hold the record for the only person ever to order a cup of tea in a Vegas nightclub at 2am) If you told us off for being little shits growing up, you’d apologise.”
He went on to say: “You waved us off from the window every time we left your house and even 3 hours before you fell asleep forever, short of breath and not much energy left, you uttered the words “il come down and see you off son” that sums you up, you put EVERYONE first. You made everyone feel so special and left a lasting impression on everyone I know. My friends love you, my wife loves you and everyone you met loves you.
“Grandad you can never be replaced because you was 1 in a million, but we can make sure your legacy lives on. I will continue to be the gentleman you taught me to be, will look after Nanny and continue to make you proud as 1 thing is for sure, you were my biggest supporter. Thank you grandad for everything. I’m so grateful I got to love you, be your mate, that you was my teacher, my boxing coach, my taxi driver, my idol, MY GRANDAD EDDIE you legend I LOVE YOU FOREVER.”
Baby pressure
The Fool Me Once star admitted in 2019 that she felt the ticking of her biological clock saying she wasn’t “getting any younger” nevertheless conceding it wasn’t quite the opportune moment for her to embark on motherhood. Michelle addressed this often-asked puzzler at the time, expressing: “Not yet. Everyone always asks that question. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not getting any younger.”
Furthermore, on the Jonathan Ross show, she revealed: “My mum is on it as well. No plans yet, but we definitely do want children in the future.”
The good news comes after enduring periods filled with speculation by both fans and family over when the couple would choose to extend their family.
In a 2020 interview, former soap actress Michelle disclosed that her family and friends had finally stopped asking her about plans to have a baby. “I get asked about children whereas Mark wouldn’t for example,” she told Women’s Health.
She continued: “Why haven’t I had a child? When am I going to have a child?’ I don’t know what they want me to say. I don’t know what the right or wrong answer is.”
When asked if her family still posed the question, the star chuckled and responded: “Not any more! … People don’t mean any harm by it, but they know what the answer’s going to be.”
Speaking to The Mirror about the constant questioning regarding her baby plans, she 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.”
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