They went from being childhood sweethearts to being catapulted to fame as TOWIE’s golden couple, with millions of viewers gripped by their highly-publicised and often turbulent romance each week. But despite ending their on/off 12-year relationship in 2012 and moving on, Lauren Goodger and Mark Wright are still making headlines.
Just last month, Mark and his wife, actress Michelle Keegan, announced they’re expecting their first child together, with numerous reports suggesting Lauren is ‘heartbroken and devastated’ over the news he’s starting a family.
But as we sit down with Lauren, 37, who shares three-year-old daughter, Larose, with ex Charles Drury, she reveals she’s keen to clear up rumours, in what she claims will be her ‘last-ever interview’ on the subject and insists she’s ‘thrilled Mark is becoming a dad at last.’
‘Let’s get this straight,’ she laughs, ‘I’m not anxious, upset, or planning to leave Essex, and it didn’t ruin my Christmas! I get it – people will always be fascinated because Mark and I were on TV together and I always seem to get dragged back into stories about him, but how can I be devastated? I’m so happy he’s going to be a dad, and I mean it.
'I’ve fallen in love and had two kids since [Lauren sadly lost her daughter Lorena after giving birth in July 2022 after complications] and he’s a married man. It doesn’t affect my life whether Mark is having a baby, I’m not obsessed with him, my life will carry on.’
She adds, ‘I’m only speaking about it because of all the sh*t I’ve had my way, it’s been constant. I haven’t posted anything on social media, yet people have written comments like, “Mark and Michelle are having a baby, you need to get over it, it’s embarrassing.” I hadn’t even seen their news, but I had friends, family and even cast members messaging me, saying, “You, OK?” I was thinking, “Of course I am, good for him.”
'I wish Mark and his family well and I’m sure [Mark’s mum] Carol’s over the moon, there’s no bad feeling on my part. I’d never usually talk about him, but it’s unfair for me to sit quiet while assumptions are made about me. People shouldn’t believe everything they read and I want to put this all to bed.’
Though as with any long-lasting relationship, Lauren admits some feelings did rise to the surface initially. The pair have had more than their fair share of history after meeting at school, before getting engaged on TOWIE when Mark proposed in a car park. Lauren then dealt with numerous rumours of flings with his co-stars, before she famously pushed him into a swimming pool after he failed to invite her to his house party.
She says, ‘Obviously it’s weird at first, isn’t it? When you hear that your ex is going to be a dad, it is strange. There was a part of me that was like, “Oh my god, Mark’s having a baby”, but I’m happy for him. Mark will always hold a place in my heart because he was my first love, but I’m not jealous and I don’t wish we were together because then I wouldn’t have Larose, and she’s my world.
‘He was a huge part of my childhood, we came into fame and have a lot of memories together, but I have no bad blood for him.’ She laughs, adding, ‘I’m not in love with him or sat here waiting for him, and to put it rudely, if I saw them both sh*gging at the end of my street, I wouldn’t give a sh*t! I moved on with Jake [McLean, who sadly passed away in a car crash in July 2022] after Mark, and then with Charles, and I’ll find love again too.’
After falling pregnant with Mark’s baby at 19, Lauren had a termination after deciding she was too young to become a mum, with Mark later admitting he was gutted at her decision. While she has no regrets about her choice at the time, she always knew she’d be a mum.
When asked, Lauren reflects, ‘When I was pregnant at 19, it just wasn’t the right time. We both wanted a baby, but we still lived with our mums! If I was a bit older, I would’ve kept the baby, although it’s mad to think I’d have a 17-year-old now. I’ve always wanted a big family, with lots of kids, and I’d still love a sibling for Larose, that’s always been my dream.
‘I am sure Mark will be a brilliant dad, he’s always loved children, all my exes are very similar in that way. I don’t know him anymore of course, that’s the weirdest thing, but he can’t have changed that much. We all grow up and move on and I’ve been through so many ups and downs of my own.
'My focus is purely on mine and Larose’s future, and I don’t want to be dragged into anyone else’s life because it’s disrespectful for them, and to me. Yes, it was a huge part of my childhood, but it was over 10 years ago, and I’m over it all. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d happily say hello to Mark and Michelle – I’ve moved on with my life now and I wish them well.’
