Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan looked smitten as they posed alongside their new nephew, Dustin, last week. The tiny “premature warrior” had finally emerged from hospital after being born 12 weeks early, and the delighted couple grinned from ear-to-ear as they proudly cradled him in their arms.
Sharing the sweet snap of the baby boy – who is the son of his younger brother Josh – Mark, 36, wrote, “We finally met our little premature warrior Dustin. He’s perfect and was so worth the wait.”
But the couple’s joy over meeting their nephew was tainted by an influx of outrageous comments questioning why the couple haven’t started their own family.
After sharing the photo with his 1.8 million followers, Mark – who wed Michelle in 2015 – faced a barrage of inappropriate questions about their own baby plans.
One follower bluntly wrote, “Suits you both BUT WHEN are you gonna have your own?”, while another waded in, adding, “Come on you two, pull your fingers out. It’s time now.”
The comments led to a stream of loyal fans defensively hitting back at the “inconsiderate” trolls – urging them to consider the couple’s personal circumstances.
Back in 2019, former Coronation Street star Michelle, 35, voiced her frustration about the constant questioning over her and Mark’s baby plans.
“It’s horrible,” she said. “It’s like, ‘You’re 32. Are you not planning to have a baby yet?’ People don’t know if we’re trying. They don’t know the background of what’s happening. It’s no one else’s business. In this day and age, you shouldn’t be asking questions like that.”
She added, “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.”
Now, insiders say Michelle’s frustration over their baby journey has been reignited following the latest row.
“Michelle was really down after all the comments,” says a source. “It made her feel incredibly angry at all those anonymous people – who know nothing about her or what’s going on in her life – being so bolshy and plain inappropriate.
“As far as she and Mark are concerned, their baby plans are private and have nothing to do with the public. No one knows what’s going on behind closed doors and it infuriates her that people are so unaware of that. She refuses to be pressured, and while she is longing to start a family, she wants to take things strictly on her terms.”
During their seven-year marriage, the couple have often been separated due to their hectic work schedules. Recently, Michelle has been busy filming in the north of England for her role in Fool Me Once – the Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben’s book – while Mark has been in Spain rectifying “nightmare” building issues at his villa in Majorca.
But with the pair now reunited, and their “dream home” in Essex finally complete, insiders say they are feeling ready to start a family of their own. The Brassic actress has previously opened up about her desire for a big family, revealing, “I’ve always been broody. I love kids and I want four, so hopefully in the near future.” Meanwhile, Mark has said, “We say we’re going to try [for a baby] every year but then something comes up with work.”
A source adds, “It’s no secret that Mark is extremely broody and while Michelle’s wanted to concentrate on her career, it’s something she’d also love to happen for them.
“Michelle has never been in a rush and wanted to take the time to enjoy married life with just the two of them before having children, as well as fulfilling their career ambitions. That way she can be a hands-on mum when the time comes, without feeling like she’s missed out on opportunities.”
Mark’s family are also clearly excited at the prospect of the couple expanding the Wright clan. His older sister, Jessica, 37 – who is mum to 11-month-old, Presley – recently said, “Hopefully, Mark and Michelle will be [parents] soon”.
The Wright family are famously close, and over the last few days Mark and Michelle have been rallying round to support his cousin Elliott, 43, through his own personal crisis, following the tragic death of one of his employees in Marbella.
Bouncer Jose Rafael Pisano Pardo, 55, died after sustaining injuries while trying to break up a fight outside Elliott’s restaurant, Olivia’s La Cala. As Closer went to press, Spanish police had arrested a man in connection with the attack.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the TOWIE star – who shares two sons with his wife, Sadie, and two children from a previous relationship – said he was “devastated” at the loss of his “dear friend and colleague”. And pals say Mark and Michelle have been offering Elliott their support, as well as sharing in his grief.
The source adds, “Mark and Michelle both knew Jose too, after spending so much time at the restaurant over the years. They have been processing the shock and heartbreak, alongside Elliott and the rest of the family. Right now, their main priority is to support Elliott in any way they can and shut out the trolls while they focus on the family.”
