Michelle Keegan upset over ‘baby race’ with Jess Wright

Jess Wright Michelle Keegan

by Daisy McLure |
Updated on

They’ve made no secret of wanting to start a family together, with Mark Wright recently revealing he’s “really excited” about the idea of having a baby, while his wife Michelle Keegan admitted last year she “definitely wants kids in the future”

But Michelle, 32, is currently filming season four of Our Girl in South Africa, while Mark, also 32, is based in his native Essex – and so their baby plans have been put on hold.

Now, insiders reveal that Mark’s sister Jess, 33 – who recently went public with her businessman boyfriend William Lee-Kemp – is considering having a baby.

It would make her the first in the Wright family to do so, and it’s caused a stir between all the siblings and their partners, including Mark’s brother Josh, 29, who married Hollie Kane last year.

A source says, “Jess is really loved-up with William – she’s gushing about how they’ve already spoken about having kids, despite the fact that they’ve only been together for a few months. She’d like to make that a reality and has been quite vocal about it.

“She feels she’s the right age now, and knows enough about relationships to know when it’s the real deal. She thinks a baby would complete things.”

In April, Jess revealed her mum Carol was excited to become a grandparent, saying, “She can’t wait for grandchildren. She’s got four children… so yeah, my parents are definitely waiting for that time to happen.”

Mark Wright MIchelle Keegan
©Getty

And pals say Michelle’s been a little put-out at the possibility that Jess – who dated Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice last year following a rocky two-year relationship with TOWIE co-star Ricky Rayment – could get pregnant before her.

Check out: axed TOWIE stars - where are they now?

Gallery

CLOSER axed TOWIE stars - where are they now Harry head

Harry Derbridge, 20111 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Harry Derbridge, series 1- 3 and 12

Harry Derbridge was a Towie original and still holds a very special place in our hearts. He made a welcome return to the show as Bobby Norris's love interest but, allegedly, cheated on him.

Harry Derbridge, 20182 of 26
CREDIT: Instagram

Harry Derbridge, 2018

Harry now works it as a make-up artist. Is it us, or does he look like he might have had a little help with lip fillers?

Maria Fowler3 of 26

Maria Fowler, series 1 - 3

Maria, on the left with Joey Essex and Chloe Sims in 2011, was in the show from the get-go but her TV career was rocked when it was alleged she'd worked as an escort. She's since said she quit 'by mutual consent' after she refused an on-screen romance with Mick Norcross.

Maria Fowler, 20184 of 26

Maria Fowler, 2018

Maria's now a proud mummy, engaged to be married and a self-proclaimed permanent make-up artist.

Dan Osborne5 of 26

Dan Osborne, series 8 - 14

Dan Osborne, pictured here with James Argent in 2013, managed seven series on the show. He was given the boot after a series of recordings, claiming to show Dan being verbally abusive towards his ex-girlfriend Megan Tomlin, came to light.

Dan Osborne, 20186 of 26

Dan Osborne, 2018

Dan is still in the spotlight due to his relationship with ex-EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa. In May 2018 he described their marriage as "unhappy".

Amber Dowding, series 18 - 217 of 26

Amber Dowding, series 18 - 21

Amber was part of a mega cull of seven Towie characters in January 2018. She claimed that she and her boyfriend Chris Clark were cut because they were happy. They've now split and Chris has reappeared on the show.

Amber Dowding8 of 26

Amber Dowding, 2018

If Amber's social media is anything to go by, she now appears to mostly be on holiday. Pretty goals from where we're sitting.

Mike Hassini9 of 26

Mike Hassini, series 16 - 18 and 21

Mike Hassini brought a hot bod to Towie and...not much else. He was cut in January 2018 due to a lack of storylines as he was loved-up outside the telly show.

Mike Hassini10 of 26

Mike Hassini, 2018

Mike is working as a PT, still loved-up, and still has a very hot bod. He has subsequently appeared briefly in gym scenes on the show.

Jack Rigden, series 20 - 2111 of 26

Jack Rigden, series 20 - 21

Jack Rigden tried hard, so hard, to make an impression on Towie but his lack of on-screen romance and agg saw him get very little camera time. He was part of the big cull of January 2018.

Jack Rigden, 201812 of 26

Jack Rigden, 2018

Jack's Instagram bio describes him as an "absolute geezer". Which is nice.

Jordan Brook, series 20 - 2113 of 26

Jordan Brook, series 20 - 21

Jordan and Jack were brought in as friends of Megan McKenna. When she quit, they were left without any storylines.

Jordan Brooks, 201814 of 26

Jordan Brooks, 2018

Jordan is now dating Sofia Filipe of Ex On The Beach fame. Aww.

Ricky Rayment15 of 26

Ricky Rayment, series 4 - 14

We still think very fondly of Ricky. His rocky relationship with Jess Wright was a huge part of the show but when they finally broke up, well... Ricky left the show "by mutual agreement"with Towie bosses.

Ricky Rayment, 201816 of 26

Ricky Rayment, 2018

Ricky now seems to mainly go fishing.

Tom Pearce, series 5 - 1317 of 26

Tom Pearce, series 5 - 13

Remember when Tom Pearce dated Lauren Goodger following her split from Mark Wright? That was an odd time. He was quietly shown the back doorof the show in 2014.

Tom Pearce, 201818 of 26

Tom Pearce, 2018

Honestly? We're not 100% sure what Tom is actually doing these days. He used to work in the City, and his holidays certainly look pretty epic, so maybe that.

Grace Andrews19 of 26

Grace Andrews, series 11 - 12

Grace almost had a romantic relationship with Lewis Bloor (shudder) and that was the beginning and end of her time on Towie.

Grace Andrews, 201820 of 26

Grace Andrews, 2018

Grace is now involved in a semi-permanent make-up company. Those Towie stars must really hate cleanser.

Fran Parman21 of 26

Fran Parman, series 11 - 16

Fran's original romantic interest was Tom Pearce but he stepped aside to allow Diags to woo her. Bad luck. Their relationship was turbulent but apparently not turbulent enough for show producers. Diags stayed, she went.

Fran Parman, 201822 of 26

Fran Parman, 2018

Fran and Diags split and she now hangs out in clothing that does not look very practical.

Jasmin Walia, series 1 and 7 -1723 of 26

Jasmin Walia, series 1 and 7-17

Jasmin managed eight series until she was given the boot. In 2015 her agent stated: "TOWIE is very storyline dependent and Jasmin did not have much going on that we could show on screen."Ouch. She went on to audition for The X Factor. It did not go well. She also took part in reality show Desi Rascals, that lasted for one series.

Jasmin Walia, 201824 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Jasmin Walia, 2018

Jasmin is still being papped, which is more than can be said for some of the other ex-Towie stars.

Jake Hall, series 14 - 1725 of 26
CREDIT: ITV2

Jake Hall, series 14 - 17

Jake's time of TOWIE was mainly characterised by him being mean to our sweet Essex princess Chloe Lewis including many accusations of infidelity, plus rumours he'd slept with Megan McKenna.

Jake Hall26 of 26
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Jake Hall, 2018

Jake subsequently became engaged to former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri. They have a baby together but in December 2018Jake was given a restraining order following a bust up with his fiancée.

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The source says, “Michelle’s really happy for Jess and is over the moon that she’s found a great guy, and she’d love to see her be a mum. It’s just that, deep down, she’s a bit upset, as she wanted to be the first one in the family to have a baby, given that she and Mark have been together for so much longer. However she doesn’t want to feel pressured into a baby race with Jess.

“When Jess told her she was more focused on falling pregnant than getting married, Michelle also expressed her concern about taking things too fast. But Jess insisted Will is ‘The One’, and she doesn’t see why they should wait.”

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Closer magazine issue 859
©Closer

Mark, host of The Bachelor UK, has opened up in the past about how competitive he and Michelle are in all aspects of their life, from work to sport.

And pals say the former Corrie actress – who’s been repeatedly forced to shut down pregnancy claims over the years, as well as facing speculation over the state of their marriage after spending months apart due to work – has decided next year could be the right time.

The insider adds, “Michelle’s incredibly ambitious. But hearing Jess talk about having a baby has made her realise she’s ready for it, too. She wants more of a balance, and has told Mark she’ll schedule some time off next year."

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