New parents Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright recently enjoyed their first holiday abroad since welcoming their daughter, Palma, in March, jetting off to a luxury resort in the Spanish countryside.
The couple holidayed with Mark’s family – including his parents, Carol, 64, and Mark Snr, 68, brother Josh, 35, and sisters Jess, 39, and Natalya, 24 – and stayed at the five-star Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel in Andalusia, where suites cost £1350 a night. Sharing a string of snaps on Instagram, Michelle, 38, wrote, ‘Princess P’s first family holiday’, while Mark, also 38, added in his own post, ‘Special times’.
But Closer can reveal that Mark’s best friend James ‘Arg’ Argent also joined the clan on the trip, despite not appearing in the photos. However, in a TikTok video posted by Mark’s younger sister Natalya, Arg can be seen in the background as the family relaxed by the pool.
Now, an insider explains that Mark has been supporting the shamed star in private after he was convicted on a domestic violence charge against his now ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson. ‘Mark has been a shoulder to lean on behind the scenes,’ our source says, 'But he won’t be seen publicly with Arg, as his wholesome image is important to him. However, he’ll continue to see Arg privately – like on this holiday.’
However, Mark’s decision to stay loyal to Arg – who he’s been friends with for 15 years, since rising to fame on TOWIE together in 2010 – has caused some friction in his marriage to Michelle. ‘It’s hard for Michelle. She’s so nice, she’d have felt really awkward with him there but she would never say anything to Arg’s face,’ the insider continues. ‘Behind closed doors, however, it would have caused tension between her and Mark – she would have felt shocked at the idea of him joining them on their holiday.'
Arg, 37, made headlines last month for a terrifying attack on fashion model Nicoline, 32, who he’d been dating since last summer. After it was reported that he shoved her down steps during a heated row outside her apartment in Spain, Arg was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence and issued with a two-year restraining order against Nicoline. The court also ordered him to complete a course on gender violence.
Nicoline – who was treated for her injuries in hospital – has since spoken out about Arg in a statement, referring to one of his unnamed exes – believed to be Lydia Bright. Nicoline accused Arg of ‘emotional manipulation’ and also spoke about being ‘deeply affected’ by his ‘unresolved ties to his past’. She said, ‘I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex.’
Closer previously reported that the shocking incident had been putting strain on Mark and Michelle – who tied the knot in 2015 – with the actress urging her husband to ‘distance himself’ from Arg. A source said at the time, ‘Mark and Michelle are not seeing eye to eye over Arg. She’s told Mark that she has zero tolerance when it comes to domestic abuse, and she’s given him an ultimatum that as a dad to their daughter, he needs to set a good example’.
Mark has previously supported pal Arg through turbulent times. His long history of drug, alcohol and eating issues have been well-documented, and the star has admitted that his cocaine addiction rocketed around 18 months after he started on TOWIE. He also suffered two near-fatal overdoses.
Mark revealed that he once threatened to cut ties with Arg after he refused to go to rehab. He said in 2020, ‘I said, “You’re not getting my help anymore, I’m done. I’m through with this, you’re not affecting my life anymore.” Obviously I didn’t mean that, but I had to scare him. Then he texted me and said, “I’m ready, I’ve hit rock bottom.” So I booked [rehab] for him the next day – and he got on the plane and he went.’
And it seems Mark has been willing to help him through this difficult period once again after he joined the Wrights on the holiday. His mum Carol also showed her support for Arg earlier this month when he posted a video with his pal and former TOWIE co-star Megan McKenna at her wedding to husband Oliver Burke. Carol commented underneath, ‘Love this,’ alongside three love heart emojis.
Our source adds, ‘Arg is a really close family friend of the Wrights and they have all been supporting him. He’s always been like another member of the family, and Mark has told Michelle that he still is.’
