It was rumoured before Christmas that Mark Wright was set to quit his job as a presenter on Hollywood entertainment show Extra for the sake of his marriage to UK-based actress Michelle Keegan – with insiders claiming the pressure of a long-distance relationship was proving too much.
But after a rep for Mark, 31, denied claims he was leaving his prestigious TV job, Michelle was pictured looking emotional in LA last week. And sources tell Closer the pair have found themselves deep in talks over their future.
A source reveals, “Michelle is struggling to hide her disappointment that Mark has signed on for another year of the show, meaning they’re going to spend even more time apart. She fully supports Mark’s career, but had hoped he would gravitate back to the UK after such a long stint in the US.
"She’s told pals she dreads going through it all again – the idea of carrying on with the long separations feels too much.”
CHECK OUT Coronation Street spoilers: Seb Franklin loses the twins
Corrie spoilers: week 5
Corrie spoilers
Despite his initial reservations, Steve tells Amy that if she does decide to cancel her termination, he'll support her no matter what.
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After discussing their options as a couple, Steve and Tracy have a major proposition for Amy.
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They offer to raise the baby as their own. Liz warns Steve and Tracy that taking on another child will be a huge commitment. Are they ready?
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As Evelyn prepares for her holiday with James, she noticed that Tyrone is being 'off' with her. Eventually, he tells her that James revealed it was Evelyn who abandoned him as a child, and not his mum.
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A heartbroken Evelyn explains that his mother, Cassie, was a drug addict, and she'd believed leaving him on the steps of the police station was the best option.
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Despite how sorry she is, Tyrone is hurt and angrily tells her to enjoy her holiday before storming out. Evelyn appeals to Roy to speak to Tyrone.
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Finding him at the garage, Roy tells Tyrone not to turn his back on his grandmother, and speaks about his regret at leaving things how they were with Sylvia.
Corrie spoilers
Still sporting the black eye given to him by Adam, Seb explains the twins adoption hearing is tomorrow, and that without a full time job he has no chance of winning custody.
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Sarah suggests that, by way of apology, Adam could represent him in court for free.
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Audrey is shocked and slightly offended when Nick and David refuse her expertise in setting up their new barber shop.
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As they discuss their plans at The Rovers, Sarah offers Gary's services in fitting the shop.
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Meanwhile, Abi and Eileen call at the yard to try and talk Seb out of his plans to adopt. Seb is furious, and an argument escalates.
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Things get so heated that they don't notice Gary turn up with a client, who decides to take his business elsewhere when he stumbles upon the row.
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Gary fires Seb on the spot. Desperate, Seb has an ultimatum for Sarah.
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In court, Seb lies and tells the judges he's in full time employment and can take care of the twins himself.
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But Abi knows it's not a good idea. Even though it breaks her heart, Abi tells the judges that Seb is lying, and it would better for the twins to remain with their foster parents.
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Seb feels betrayed by everyone. After Gary left him high and dry without a job, he vows to hurt him back.
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Seb tells Gary that Sarah spent the evening with Adam, and they kissed. How will they react?
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On Peter's request, Abi agrees to take a look at the boats engine and manages to fix it.
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But after the hearing, Peter can see how upset Abi is, and brings her back to the boat to comfort her – where he offers her a full time job on the boat.
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The pair of them discuss their colourful pasts and, bonding over their time in prison, they share a kiss.
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Michelle is shocked to see Carla rudely snap at a client and tells her she is overworking herself.
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Annoyed, Carla heads to boat house to seek comfort from Peter, but arriving at the docks sees that a light on the boat is already on.
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Noticing Carla head into the factory, Peter tells Abi that it's too cold to sleep on the boat, and follows Carla inside.
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As they reminisce about their relationship, Peter goes in for a kiss. Will Carla kiss him back?
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Elsewhere, Paul offers to help Billy sort out the donations for the church bring and buy sale.
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Billy takes Paul for a drink to thank him for his help. When Billy gets a message that Summer has lost her iPad Gemma immediately and publicly accuses Paul of stealing it.
Corrie spoilers
Despite being jealous of their blossoming relationship, Gemma . confides in Chesney and Emma that Paul took the rap for some things she has done in her past and has never let her forget it.
The couple have spent most of their three-year marriage living in different countries due to their work commitments. And despite her blossoming TV career in the UK, which has seen her film in locations all over the world, former Coronation Street star Michelle has failed to make an impression Stateside.
Following reports that she’d hired an acting agent in LA, Michelle told The One Show last year that she has no plans to move to the US permanently, and even admitted that people had struggled to understand her accent.
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But Mark hasn’t wasted any time in building a life for himself out in LA, hanging out with A-list pals including rapper French Montana and Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.
Even Mark’s famous friends have been left pondering about his married life with Michelle, 31 – and after posting a picture of her on Instagram last year, his Extra co-host Mario Lopez teased him by commenting, “Oh! She exists.”
The source adds, “Most of Mark’s friends out there don’t know Michelle that well. When he’s in LA and she’s back home, the distance between them is unbearable and she’s struggling to see an end to it.
“Mark is reassuring her that this isn’t going to be forever, but at the same time hasn’t been able to give her a time frame of when he’ll be back for good. He’s told her that there are so many exciting opportunities to be had in LA that could work out well for both of them in the long run. He feels that if he continues the way he’s going and makes it big, he could provide an incredible life for them.”
Read even more in this week's Closer - out now.