TV star Michelle Keegan might seem like she has it all together, but the actress has been suffering from bouts of anxiety for years, and it hits her most when she reaches the end of filming her shows.
The former Coronation Street star, 37, has talked openly about her anxiety over the years, but according to pals it’s been building up again and Michelle is finding it hard to cope.
Insiders tell Closer that Michelle, who next year celebrates 10 years of marriage to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, 37, seems to find that when her life gets better, the more she worries.
“Michelle is such an inspirational woman but she admits she struggles quietly behind closed doors,” our source says, “Mark is her rock, and with their 10-year anniversary approaching, they have a lot to celebrate. They're going from strength to strength and have the world at their feet.
“But Michelle admits that she wants to find a magic wand to stop her head from over-thinking what could go wrong, not right. She thinks she will never work again – it's crazy.”
Michelle, who rose to fame playing Tina McIntyre on Corrie from 2007 to 2013, has experienced a varied and exciting career since exiting the soap, with roles in Our Girl and Brassic.
And her performance earlier this year in Fool Me Once, Netflix’s latest Harlan Coben show, catapulted her to the big time and saw her introduced to an international audience. According to reports, this has left Netflix eyeing her up for more projects that could earn her a healthy six-figure sum.
But despite this, Michelle – who also has a successful fashion line – suffers from self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome. Talking about it previously, Michelle revealed that she likes to focus on breathing techniques or exercise to help her get through episodes “I get it quite a lot over little things. It comes in waves,” she said in a previous interview. “I use breathing techniques, or I go to the gym. That always helps me. I sweat it out and feel better and lighter.”
In tough times, Michelle also relies on Mark, who she met in early 2013 and married two years later. Last month, the couple put on a rare public loved-up display on holiday in Spain, and the insider says Mark is doing all he can to support his wife amid her emotional stress.
“Career milestones and Mark, who is her safe place, have seen Michelle through some of her hardest times,” the source explains. “Mark hates seeing Michelle struggling, and has admitted how difficult it can be when she has episodes. He says he married the most beautiful soul and competent woman; the only enemy she has is herself.”
For Michelle, career success has become something of a double-edged sword. She’s recently finished filming series two of BBC historical drama Ten Pound Poms in Australia, while any future Netflix projects would mean more time overseas. But Michelle, at heart, is a home bird, and all this time away has left her feeling untethered.
“For Michelle home is everything,” the insider adds.
“Over the years she has evolved; she's far more balanced and would rather be at home than on a red carpet. Pilates is her saviour from blocking out the noise. Ultimately, she knows she needs to take time out for herself. Her routine is golden.”
