Michelle tells Mark to curb his partying
As Mark Wright signs Jamie O’hara to his football club, Michelle Keegan is keen the pair don’t get too close
They’re two of the most high-profile men on the showbiz circuit, but they managed to keep their friendship under wraps until last week – when Jamie O’hara revealed how his “good pal” Mark Wright had persuaded him to play for Billericay Town football club.
But pals say Mark’s wife of two years, Michelle Keegan, 29 – who is preparing to spend eight months in South Africa filming the next series of Our Girl – is less than enamoured about the pair becoming too close.
BLOSSOMING BROMANCE
A source says: “Michelle totally trusts Mark but she knows he still enjoys a party, especially with his passion for Djing. She’s heard Jamie does too, so she’s not too keen on their bromance blossoming and the prospect of them going on nights out together while she’s not there.”
But pals say 30-year-old football fan Mark – who’s invested in the Essex-based club – has been trying to reassure Michelle ahead of her long stint abroad.
The source adds: “Mark insists he’s not into the same lifestyle now. He’s married and reassured Michelle that while he still enjoys a night out with the boys, she has nothing at all to worry about.”
Since leaving TOWIE in 2011, Mark has tried hard to distance himself from his reality show past but, more recently, his former Lothario ways have hit the headlines.
In February, a 2011 interview with Michelle revealed her slamming his bad-boy behaviour and treatment of then-fiancée Lauren Goodger.
Michelle blasted: “I don’t know how Lauren can take Mark back so easily, though – it’s so cringe! I wouldn’t be able to get back with someone who’d slept with lots of girls I knew, but that’s just me.”
And last month footage from a 2010 episode of TOWIE appeared to show him flirting with a young Megan Mckenna, asking if she had a boyfriend.
FRIENDSHIP GROUPS
Former premiership footballer Jamie split from Danielle Lloyd in 2014 after he allegedly cheated on her with a string of women.
He was later linked to EX-TOWIE star Maria Fowler in 2014 and had a romance with his Celebrity Big Brother co-star Bianca Gascoigne in January. Recently he has been a regular on the party circuit with CBB star and model Calum Best.
Last month it was reported Jamie had also briefly rekindled his on/off romance with lingerie model Elizabeth-jayne Tierney, 25.
Closer has previously revealed Michelle’s concerns over Mark’s friendship groups and was left devastated after his pals had a public spat with Danny Dyer at V Festival last year – and insiders say she’s nervous about him attracting bad publicity again.
The source adds: “Michelle understands Mark will be missing her while she’s away, but she wants to ensure he isn’t tempted into wild boys’ nights out with his friends. Mark’s told Michelle he’ll never do anything to put their relationship at risk. Now the pair are determined to make the most of their time together before work commitments separate them again.”