Michelle Keegan’s torn over ‘dream life’ with Mark Wright

They’re used to spending long periods in separate places due to work commitments – and Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright are once again said to be living apart as they build their new “dream” home.

Friends tell Closer that Michelle, 33, has been staying in her native Manchester, while Mark, 34, is still living in Essex, as work continues on the building of their new £1.3m mansion following the sale of their former home in March.

The actress wrapped up filming Sky comedy Brassic near her home city in March after three months on set, and took it as an opportunity to spend time with her family while Mark continued working on his radio show in London.

The couple are completely demolishing an old farmhouse in Epping Forest to build a five-bedroom mansion complete with swimming pool, a gym, a bar and a home cinema.

But a source says that being back in Manchester has left Michelle with mixed emotions.

The insider says, “Mark and Michelle are very excited about their dream home finally becoming a reality. They’ve worked so hard for it and they’ve loved creating the plans together. But being back in Manchester and having quality time with her family and old friends – in the place she used to live and her old haunts – has really made Michelle nostalgic for a life back there.

“She upped sticks and moved to Essex eight years ago to be with Mark, and while it’s been great, Essex still doesn’t feel like home in the way Manchester does.”

Former Corrie star Michelle has also been spending her time back home hanging out with her cousin Katie (who’s also her best friend) and her eight-month-old son.

Posting a picture of her wrapping the adorable tot under her coat, she proudly captioned it, “My little Spring Roll”.

Meanwhile, Mark has been at the helm of the renovations – and was spotted tile-shopping in London as he splits his time between work as a radio DJ as well as promoting his new health and fitness book, which is released later this month.

Michelle has, however, been making trips back to see Mark and for work commitments, and it’s believed the pair will reunite this week to celebrate their six-year wedding anniversary.

The source continues, “Mark and Michelle’s marriage is stronger than ever – they loved spending so much time together in lockdown as they’re often pulled apart by work commitments.

“Of course they are also looking to the next step, which is likely to be starting a family.

“But Michelle is feeling torn on that, too, as being back home has reminded her that she won’t have her family and her ‘home’ friends close by now that she’s committed to life in Essex. She is super-close to her family – especially her cousin Katie – and would love them to have their children growing up close to each other, like they did.

“She has mixed emotions and it’s slightly taken the shine off the dream life she had in her head of what it would be like living in her new home.”

Check out: a look back at Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's most loved up pictures ever

However, being apart isn’t unusual for Mark and Michelle. Soon after their 2015 wedding, Michelle started filming drama Our Girl and spent months away in Nepal, South Africa and Malaysia. In 2017, Mark relocated to LA to present on US TV channel Extra, while the same year saw Michelle spend eight months away with Our Girl again.

Although Michelle admitted she “missed home”, the couple kept the spark alive by FaceTiming and having virtual meals together.

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She has previously revealed that their mutual love for their careers “helps with the relationship”, but Mark recently said they’d enjoyed reconnecting during the pandemic.

He said, “After years of having a long-distance relationship, I’m now locked up with the girl of my dreams! We used to spend all our time on FaceTime calls and talking for hours on the phone in different time zones, but now we’re together every minute of the day.”

The source adds, “Michelle is enjoying spending time as an aunt, and wants some calm amid the madness of the house renovation. Her family love having her back, but they know her life now is in Essex, so it’s a great opportunity for them to spend this time together while they can. Plus if there’s a baby on the way soon, it’s the perfect opportunity to have this time on her own while she can.”

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