See the how the TV stars' relationship has evolved
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright are one loved-up couple.
As our gallery shows, they first meet at a soap awards ceremony in 2011 and get to know each other better when they both appear on The Xtra Factor later that year.
The TV stars go on holiday to Dubai to celebrate New Year’s Eve and by May 2013, they are an item. After an appearance together at the British Soap Awards, the duo head off for a romantic trip to Spain.
Mark and Michelle’s close bond is evident as they get to know each other’s friends and families over that summer.
By September, it’s clear that the lovers are truly smitten. They break the news that they are set to become husband and wife on Twitter.
‘THANKYOU for all the lovely messages, and yes it’s true @markwright_ and I are engaged !! We are so SO happy 🙂 xxx,’ Tweets Michelle Keegan following Mark’s proposal in Dubai.
Mark writes: ‘Thankyou to everyone for your messages about our engagement. It means so much.’
In July 2014, Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan move into a new house in Essex.
After revealing very little about their upcoming wedding so far, in October 2014 it’s reported that Mark and his stunning wife-to-be have found a venue in Norfolk, but Mark hits Twitter to dismiss the claims.
The couple eventually tie the knot in May 2015 in a lavish ceremony held at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
‘It was the day our dreams came true,’ they later reveal.
After an exotic honeymoon the lovebirds settle into married life together and continue to focus on their careers.
Michelle and Mark visit America together in the summer of 2015 and attend various work meetings – but remain settled in their Essex home.
Michelle has huge success as her debut in the BBC Drama Our Girl is released and Mark praises her. Taking to Twitter he wrote: ‘This one @michkeegan astounds me more every day…. Truly sensational performance.’
The pair become victim to split rumours in Autumn 2016, but they laugh them off saying they are happy and Michelle even hints she is broody for kids.
Click through our pictures above to see how Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright’s romance has blossomed…
Sam Faiers
Mark Wright enjoys a short-lived fling with TOWIE co-star Sam Faiers in 2011.
A year later, Sam reveals that she first slept with Mark when she was 16.
‘I don’t remember much about it, other than that it was quite simple and straightforward,’ writes Sam in her book Living Life The Essex Way.
Lucy Mecklenburgh
Mark Wright gets close to Lucy Mecklenburgh during his time on TOWIE.
He’s caught with his pants down – or rather off – on a Marbella hotel balcony with Lucy in 2011, although he insists the pictures are innocent.
They have a rocky relationship and end up in more than one Twitter spat.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan admits that she didn’t want a relationship with Mark Wright at first.
‘I thought he was very polite, but I was wary and didn’t want to get involved with someone at that time,’ says Michelle.
‘But the more we met up, the more I liked him. He’s a genuine guy, very down to earth and a proper gent – he holds the door open for me and makes an effort with my friends and family.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
It’s clear that Mark Wright doesn’t have to take his fiancée on posh dates to make her happy.
A smitten Michelle Keegan tells Hello!: ‘We can be doing nothing at all, but absolutely love it. We can be in an empty room but love it, just being with each other.
‘I think that is real love.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Mark Wright knows how to spoil a girl.
Michelle Keegan compares him to Pretty Woman heartthrob Richard Gere when he treats her to a lavish night out in London for her 26th birthday.
‘Just about to watch a show. Bday celebrations @MarkWright_ Richard Gere eat your heart out #prettywoman,’ she Tweets.
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright
After moving into a new Essex pad with Mark Wright in July 2014, Michelle Keegan is obviously very content living with her man.
‘My new home is amazing and I am very, very happy getting things organised and choosing fixtures and fittings for our first home together,’ Michelle cutely writes in her Hello! column.
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright
Mark Wright puts Michelle Keegan totally at ease.
‘I couldn’t be with someone I don’t trust,’ the actress tells Hello!
‘It all feels very natural. We do normal things – have DVD nights, go out for dinner, go shopping, chill out with a takeaway or go out for meals with family and friends.
‘In many ways we are very similar. We love to banter and we just click.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan admits that Mark Wright always puts a grin on her face in a sentimental birthday message.
‘Happy birthday to my fiancé and bestfriend @MarkWright_ Thankyou for constantly making me smile. Love you lots. XxX,’ the pretty brunette Tweets in January 2014.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright are pals as well as lovers.
‘Mark makes me feel very special, he has a great way of making people feel very valued and comfortable,’ says Michelle.
‘I think his personality is infectious. I’m lucky to have Mark in my life as my partner and as my best friend.’
Michelle Keegan, Mark Wright, Natalya Wright and Jessica Wright
Michelle Keegan joins Mark Wright’s family to celebrate his sister Natalya’s 13th birthday in August 2013.
Mark insists he isn’t ready to propose to his girl just yet.
‘I want to have kids and get married, I’m so excited. But I’m not in a rush for it anytime soon,’ he says.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
A thrilled Michelle Keegan can’t contain her excitement when Mark Wright proposes during a Dubai holiday in September 2013.
The bride-to-be posts on Twitter: ‘THANKYOU for all the lovely messages, and yes it’s true @markwright_ and I are engaged !! We are so SO happy 🙂 xxx’
Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan makes it clear that she adores being in Mark Wright’s company on 25 September 2013.
‘We get excited just to go to [shopping centre] the Trafford Centre to go for dinner together, go and see our family or friends or watch a movie, little things like that,’ she says.
‘We can be doing nothing at all, but absolutely love it. We can be in an empty room but love it, just being with each other. I think that is real love.’
Michelle Keegan
On 25 November 2014, Mark Wright shares a snap of Michelle Keegan decorating their Christmas tree.
‘“Its the most wonderful time of the year” setting up the tree, mulled wine & Xmas cd on. Love it @michkeegan,’ he Tweets.
His fiancée is feeling equally festive.
‘The 1st 2 decs going on the tree makes it extra special!… Amazing year #engagement #newhome #lucky,’ she adds.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Gorgeous Michelle Keegan credits loving fiancé Mark Wright with helping her to feel comfortable with her body.
‘He compliments me a lot and I’ve never really had that before,’ she tells Cosmopolitan Body.
‘Even when I don’t feel it, it’s still nice to hear because I’m not trying to impress anyone else; Mark’s the one that matters.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Finding true love with Mark Wright has made Michelle Keegan’s dreams come true.
She tells the Daily Record: ‘It’s weird because everything’s worked out according to plan.
‘The plan was to meet someone and be happy by 27… and I am really happy. I wouldn’t change anything.’
Aww!
Michelle Keegan’s grandad’s cake
Michelle Keegan celebrates her grandad’s 85th birthday with Mark Wright and his parents on 23 February 2014.
‘Still hungover and tired from @michkeegan grandad bday party last night. Scottish theme !!‘ Mark tells fans the following morning.
Carol Wright adds: ‘Just spent lovely weekend with a very much sweet in love couple @MarkWright_ @michkeegan looking forward to having her as my daughter inlay.’
Michelle Keegan
Keen to silence rumours that her wedding to Mark Wright has been rescheduled, Michelle Keegan sets the record straight.
‘Last week a couple of magazines said that my wedding to Mark has been postponed. I have no idea where that has come from and it’s totally untrue,’ she tells Now on 11 March 2014.
‘You can only postpone something that’s already been planned and we’ve always said we weren’t going to get married before 2015.
‘We’ve never said anything to the contrary, so I’m not sure where that rubbish has come from!’
Michelle Keegan
In July 2014, Michelle Keegan jokes that Mark Wright may end up going a little over-the-top if he’s put in charge of sorting out their special day.
‘Imagine! It would be so theatrical. He likes to do things big,’ says Michelle.
‘It would be a massive wedding. He’d probably fly everyone out to Las Vegas.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
On 23 July 2014, Mark Wright and Michelle Keegen are snapped loading up a van with belongings to take to their new pad in Essex.
A couple of days later, Michelle makes it clear that she has no regrets about moving to Essex from Manchester.
‘My new home is amazing and I am very, very happy getting things organised and choosing fixtures and fittings for our first home together,’ Michelle writes in her Hello! column.
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright
Mark Wright has the support of Michelle Keegan following his debut performance on Strictly Come Dancing with his partner Karen Hauer in September 2014.
‘It was Marks first proper dance ( cha cha cha with a cheeky lil ?worm’ thrown in at the end !) with Karen and I was SO proud of him,’ Michelle pens in her Hello! blog.
‘He danced so well, but I’m not gonna lie – he was SO nervous beforehand .’
Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Mark Wright
Michelle Keegan is there to support Mark Wright when he makes his Strictly Come Dancing debut on 27 September 2014.
‘On my way to watch @MarkWright_ move his snake hips on @bbcstrictly tonight,’ she Tweets.
‘Sending u lots of luck babe. Love you, so proud of u. ❤️ xxx.’
Jessica ‘Jess’ Wright and Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan glams up with Mark Wright’s sister Jessica for his brother Josh’s 25th birthday party on 8 November 2011.
‘Drinks with beautiful @michkeegan first thank you @krystal_iammakeup & @hannahwieteskax for our hair & make up,’ writes Jess on Instagram.
Jessica ‘Jess’ Wright and Michelle Keegan
Partying alongside Mark Wright at his brother Josh’s 25th birthday party on 8 November 2014, Michelle Keegan looks stunning in a selfie taken with his sister Jess.
‘Me & @michkeegan with the @krystal_iammakeup herself 💅💄💞👭👭,’ says Jess.
Michelle comments: ‘Me @jesswright77 and @krystal_iammakeup last night. Thankyou so much @krystal_iammakeup for my make-up. ❤️💋.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
In November 2014, Mark Wright reveals he and Michelle Keegan are finding it tough that the actress has returned to Manchester to film a BBC series while he continues his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing.
‘It’s difficult, we’re both very busy at the moment, it’s not been easy,’ he tells the Daily Mirror’s 3am.
‘I’d like to see her every day but we can’t, so we try not to let it pressure us.’
Michelle Keegan
After Michelle Keegan admits she’s feeling a little self-conscious about her body on 3 December 2014, Mark Wright sends her a reassuring message.
‘With all the pics of the Victoria Secret models going round I should be motivated 2 go gym, instead they’re doin the opposite! #depressed 🍫🍰,’ Tweets Michelle.
Mark replies: ‘Something tells me they say the same about you @michkeegan.’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan make a perfect couple in matching monochrome ensembles at The Sun Military Awards in London on 10 December 2014.
Mark shows just how much he cares about his wife-to-be when he notices how chilly she looks while having a chat to us outside.
‘Do you want to take my jacket?’ he asks, to which Manchester-born Michelle replies: ‘I’m alright. I’m northern so I’m used to it!’