THEY were once one of Britainâs most envied showbiz couples with matching careers at the top of the TV world.
But while Michelle Keeganâs star continues to soar with huge Netflix dramas and global attention, husband Mark Wright has been left struggling to land the TV jobs he once dreamed of.
The Sun can exclusively reveal the former Towie star has been left feeling snubbed by the industry as Michelleâs career reaches new heights.
At one point, Mark was arguably the bigger name after quitting reality TV to focus on TV presenting before cracking America with a red carpet hosting role in the US.
He even landed spots on Iâm A Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing â something unheard of for a Towie star at the time.
But while Michelle has become one of Britainâs most in-demand actresses, Mark has failed to land a major TV role since 2023 despite auditions and his presenting role on Heart Radio.
Meanwhile, Michelleâs career has gone from strength to strength, with starring roles in major Netflix and ITV dramas bringing her worldwide recognition.
She has now landed a role in Netflixâs latest money-spinning Harlan Coben thriller, cementing her status as one of the UKâs top stars.
Whatâs more, The Sun can reveal Michelle, 38, is now substantially out-earning reality star hubby Mark.
Speaking to a close pal of the couple, we can exclusively reveal that Mark is struggling with his wifeâs fame.
Our insider revealed: âMark always thought telly would be his life-long career, but the jobs havenât been there for a while now.
âOne of the hardest things for Mark is seeing how massive Michelleâs career has become. Thereâs definitely a feeling at home as well that heâs been eclipsed by Michelle.
âThere are moments where he canât help feeling envious of how in-demand she is.
âFriends are worried there could be some tension bubbling away under the surface there.
âItâs tough when your partner is smashing it and riding career high after career high while youâre sat at home waiting for the phone to ring.â
After Mark departed his starring role on Towie, he landed a red carpet presenting gig across the pond and seemingly made it big in the States.
The Essex native hosted Extra on NBC in the US from 2013 until 2019.
However, little did anyone realise, let alone Mark, that it would prove to be his last major TV gig.
Mark last officially appeared on screens in 2023 when he fronted Channel 5 reality series The Challenge UK.
Reports suggest that telly bosses fear Mark has lost his âllikability factorâ and isnât worth taking a risk with.
Our source said: âMark wonât like to hear it but rubbing your lavish lifestyle in peopleâs faces during a cost of living crisis hasnât helped, neither has getting it all for free and posting shameless ads on Instagram.â
Their ÂŁ3.5million Essex mansion became a huge media fixation after they heavily documented the build on Instagram.
âHeâs severely lacking credibility in the showbiz world and doesnât know how to get it back,â the pal shared.
Mark and Michelle welcomed their first child together, daughter Palma Elizabeth Wright, in March last year and Mark didnât expect to become a stay-at-home dad.
âMark adores being a dad, but some friends fear heâs struggling with the role reversal â being a stay at home dad was never on his bingo card.
âNow heâs sat at home holding the baby watching other people that arenât as good as him land the jobs he thought heâd be doing.
The source shared how Mark has particularly struggled to see peers like Jeff Brazier landing the ITV jobs he once did.
âHe believed he was one of ITVâs biggest presenters â heâs annoyed because even Jeff Brazier has a regular slot on ITV daytime.
âItâs like Jeff has replaced Mark in some ways because heâs more relatable, down to earth and doesnât show off.â
The insider added how Mark is pitching ideas, just without success impressing show bosses.
âMark spends more time talking about projects than actually filming them these days. Heâs always pitching ideas and trying to make things happen, but nothing seems to stick and itâs become a bit of a sore subject.
âThe new Strictly presenter would have been his dream but he wasnât even in the running.
âItâs all very well being famous on Instagram but what happens when that social media bubble eventually bursts.â










