BBC's A Wright Family Holiday: A look at Mark Wright's family, marriage to Michelle Keegan and career history

Mark Wright first appeared on our TV screens in 2010 as the heartthrob and love-interest of Lauren Goodger in ITVBe reality series The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE). But he’s back on television with a very different type of show and this time he’s bringing his family. 

‘A Wright Family Holiday’ will air on BBC One Thursday 8 June at 8pm. The six-part series will see Mark, his dad Mark Wright Snr and brother Joshua Wright travel around the UK and go head-to-head on activities including; coasteering in Newquay, go-karting in Llandudno, kite-surfing in County Down and downhill biking in the Scottish Highlands.

We take a closer look at Mark, his family, marriage to Michelle Keegan and his career so far. 

Who is Mark Wright?

Before TV, Mark was destined for a career as a professional footballer. As a youth he played for teams including West Ham United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur. His senior football career began when he played for Southend United but he ultimately decided to pursue a career in promoting nightclubs. 

Mark was part of the original cast of TOWIE featuring in the first three series but has since carved out a successful career on his own. He made a few appearances in reality TV shows including I’m a Celebrity where he finished as a runner up in the final and Strictly Come Dancing where he came fourth. 

Mark also hosts the Club Classics Heart FM show every Friday and Saturday from 7pm. 

Marriage to Michelle Keegan

In 2012 Mark met former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan. According to Hello the pair met whilst on separate holidays in Dubai. A year later the couple went back to the luxury holiday destination where he proposed on a beach. 

The couple married in a lavish ceremony in front of friends and family in 2015. They chose the song ‘Time of My Life’ from the movie Dirty Dancing for their first dance.

Soon after they were married, Michelle landed the lead role in BBC series ‘Our Girl’ where she spent  months filming in South Africa. 

In 2017 Mark made the move to America to present the showbiz news programme EXTRA. The couple were in a long distance relationship for three years and Michelle would often pop over to see him. Mark came back to the UK to spend more time with his wife. 

During their eight years of marriage the couple have been constantly asked when they will be having children. With his siblings recently welcoming their own children they will be feeling the pressure. But Mark and Michelle are too busy for children - as well as Michelle's own clothing line for online shop Very, the couple launched their own gym-wear range Aytee7 in 2022. .

The couple bought a home in Essex and have been documenting the renovation over the past few years. They originally bought the property for £1.3 million in 2019 and It is now a £3.5 million luxury mansion. 

Mark Wright's family tree

Mark's dad Mark Wright Snr has had several businesses over the years including a car dealership. He married Mark’s glamourous mother Carol Wright in 1983. The family recently praised Carol for completing the London marathon at 63 years-old.

The couple have four children namely their eldest daughter Jessica Wright, then Mark, Joshua Wright and youngest Natalya. Jessica also starred in TOWIE, she married William Lee-Kemp in 2021 and the couple welcomed son Presley soon after. 

Joshua had a brief stint on the ITVBe reality series but is a professional football player. He currently plays for Ebbsfleet United. Joshua is engaged to Hollie Kane who he shares sons Joshua and Dustin. Youngest son Dustin was born 12 weeks prematurely. 

Even Mark's grandmother Patricia or better known as Nanny Pat had a role in the reality show. Mark had persuaded his grandmother to appear on the show and she quickly became a firm favourite. Nanny Pat passed away a month after celebrating her 80th birthday in December 2015.

Youngest daughter Natalya is a London based fashion model and posts fashion content on her social media. The 22 year old is a lover of horses and is also an equestrian. 

The family have always been close but in 2020 Mark Snr caught the Coronavirus during lockdown and then sadly lost his brother to the COVID. After his father made a full recovery Mark decided they needed to reconnect which is the reason why they are making the travel documentary. 

Watch A Wright Family Holiday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer Thursday 8 June at 8pm