Michelle Keegan faced with her past heartbreak

Strictly Come Dancing fans rejoiced last week when new contestants of the upcoming series were revealed, including heartthrob Max George from The Wanted – who is already the bookies’ favourite to win. But one person who may not have been celebrating is Max’s ex-fiancée, Michelle Keegan. Despite having been happily settled with Mark Wright since 2013, with the pair tying the knot just two years later, the news will undoubtedly sting – especially as fans have already been dredging up their failed engagement on social media.

Minutes after he was unveiled as a contestant, one fan wrote, “Remember when Max George used to go out with Michelle Keegan?” prompting another to reply, “Yeah, and asked for the engagement ring back”, followed by laughter emojis. Another added, “First thing I thought of was Michelle Keegan...” while another echoed, “I think this means Michelle definitely won’t be taking part this year” – in reference to earlier reports that she could also join the line-up this series.

Max, 31 – who is now dating former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs’ ex-wife Stacey, 40 – and Michelle, 33, began dating in December 2010. The singer proposed on Michelle’s birthday the following year, but the pair didn’t make it up the aisle. After calling it a day in 2012, sources said the former Coronation Street actress was “heartbroken”.

Now, an insider tells Closer that, although Michelle – who has previously said the BBC1 hit show is a favourite, with Mark, 33, also a keen fan since his appearance in 2014, when he finished fourth – has “no feelings whatsoever” towards Max, they believe she’ll be annoyed by the reminder of her painful past.

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The source says, “The announcement about Max did come as a bit of a shock. Michelle hasn’t given him a second thought for the best part of ten years. That said, she does still remember the heartbreak their broken engagement caused her and she just doesn’t want to be reminded of it constantly.

"She’s bound to be aware of the comments about them in light of Max’s Strictly news, and that’s not nice for either her or Mark. Most people are allowed to move on from their exes and not have to be reminded of their past, but that may not be the case for Michelle for the next few months.

“Since The Wanted split in 2014, Max has been relatively off the radar, but Michelle will know he is a good dancer and likely to do well. You wouldn’t blame her for worrying about him being a big star again, making it more likely he could speak out about their past – just as Mark has had previously with his ex, Lauren Goodger.”

Max has vehemently denied historic claims he cheated on Michelle, but a year on from their split, he admitted his alcohol use contributed to the end of the engagement, adding, “I was drinking more to forget the fact I was with someone who wasn’t making me that happy... [even though] Michelle is seen as ‘Britain’s Sweetheart’ nowadays.”

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That same year, the singer poured his feelings about the actress, who was by then set to marry Mark, into a ballad on his band’s new album Word Of Mouth, saying, “I’ve written about my break-up with Michelle. I’ve written a couple of songs about it and the experiences I went through. There’s one song called Heartbreak Story, which is definitely close to me.”

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Three years after the split, tensions between the pair were reignited when Max accused Michelle of throwing him out of the VIP area in a Marbella nightclub where she was partying with Mark.

Meanwhile, last week it was reported that Michelle and Mark may be making a move to the States later this year, as he has been asked to film a pilot for a new LA TV show following his success presenting on Extra. Sources say the couple “can’t bear to be apart again” after Michelle stayed in the UK in 2019 when Mark hosted the US show.

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