She's been tipped to be Hollywood's next leading lady after her much-praised performance in Fool Me Once - but Michelle Keegan says fame hasn't changed her one bit.
Closer caught up with Michelle at the launch of fashion designer-to-the-stars Nadine Merabi's first flagship store during London Fashion Week - but rather than taking a celeb pal along, the actress brought along her best friend from Manchester and trusted make-up artist Emily Jackson.
'I still have the same small group of friends I've always had,' smiles Michelle, who exudes A-list in the flesh, 'It's a close inner circle and we all still go out together for nights out in Manchester or down here.'
And after the colossal success of Netflix thriller series Fool Me Once, Michelle says her life at home with TOWIE husband Mark Wright and their dogs - chihuahua Pip and dachshund Phoebe – 'I still feel exactly the same! When we were filming Fool Me Once, all the cast hoped it would do well, but we had no idea that it would be such a smash hit. Even when it had been out for weeks, I still hadn't watched it because I didn't really want to watch myself in it, but my family actually sat me down and said, "We think you should watch it, Michelle, you'll be really proud!"
Last year, Mark and Michelle- who found fame playing Coronation Street's Tina McIntyre from 2008 to 2014 - finished renovating their £3.5 million Essex mansion, unveiling it in a huge party with family and friends. Completed to Hollywood spec, the house boasts £6,000 sofas, a five star gym, a £100,000 driveway, cinema room and a lavish outdoor swimming pool with cabana sun beds.
So Michelle admits it's no problem having a date night at home with former TOWIE lothario, Mark, who she has described as her 'best friend.' She says, 'We don't mind staying at home for a date night- we can do both. I'm happy to have a night on the sofa with our dogs watching TV and relaxing. But we do still like to get dressed up and go out for dinner. In the old days, we'd go out for dinner and drinks until the early hours. But now, after dinner, I'll look at my watch and say, "It's 9:30 PM, we'd better get back home for bedtime!” It's a bit more boring now!’
With their hectic careers, Michelle and Mark had been forced to endure something of a long-distance relationship since they got married back in 2015. Michelle recently revealed that while she was in Sydney in 2022 for work, she was alone for two months before Mark flew out and joined her for six weeks.
Now the Brassic star, 37 - who reportedly met Mark, also 37, in 2012 while they were both enjoying separate holidays in Dubai and quickly fell in love - says she's just had a month's break from work and she's happier than ever.
Michelle - who was seen filming the returning series of BBC drama Ten Pound Poms in April - says, 'I've worked every summer I can remember, so it was such a treat to have a whole month off. It's perfect because I'm a real homebody. I love just going for long walks and seeing my friends.'
And despite her wardrobe in Fool Me Once going viral, as well as having her own fashion range with Very, Michelle insists she doesn't obsess over her perfect image.
She smiles, 'I want to age gracefully! I have a very simple skin care routine which is cleanser moisturise! I still use the same Body Shop cleanser I've used for years, and I like CurrentBody’s Light Mask. I drink lots of water to stay hydrated. I don't go to the gym every day, I'd never put that kind of pressure on myself!'
And after reports that Michelle has had multiple offers from Hollywood as Fool Me Once became the 6th most-watched show on Netflix ever, will she be moving Stateside?
Michelle adds laughing, 'There are no immediate plans to move to Hollywood... watch this space!'
You can check out Nadine Merabi's designs on her website nadinemerabi.