Former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright has discussed the fact he “can’t wait” to welcome his first child as pregnant wife Michelle Keegan counts down to her due date

Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan announced after Christmas they are expecting a baby (Image: (Ian West/PA))

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright has shared his excitement over his impending fatherhood as his pregnant wife Michelle Keegan prepares to give birth. The 38-year-old reality star has been married to 37-year-old Coronation Street icon Michelle since 2015, and they announced that they were expecting their first child together three months ago.

The couple announced the life-changing news by sharing a sun-soaked snap of themselves on the beach of a Spanish island with Michelle’s baby bump proudly on display. As the due date draws closer, Mark confesses that he is getting increasingly excited about the arrival of the bundle of joy – which will be the first child for both him and Michelle.

Looking ahead to his impending role as a dad, Mark reflected on his own upbringing as the son of occasional TOWIE stars; dad Mark, Sr and mum Carol. He also paid tribute to Michelle’s parents – who are Michael Keegan and Jackie Turner. Mark said the family values instilled into both him and Michelle by their parents will shape the way their bring up their children.

He told The Sun: ”I’m just excited for the whole process. I’m just really excited and can’t wait for it to happen. A parent shapes you. If you haven’t got a good upbringing, you can still end up being a good person but if you’ve got good parents, like we have, you’re going out into life [with] a massive head start.

“My dad is everything you’d dream [of] in a dad. He’s always put us first, no matter what, whether that was financially or in terms of love and care. We’ve always felt so loved, and that’s one of the most important things for any parent – to make your child feel loved and to [let] them know [you’re] there.”

Last month, Mark and Michelle had their happy state shattered when burglars broke into their home while they were sleeping inside. The couple reportedly locked themselves in their bedroom last night when their £3.5million Essex mansion was targeted by masked raiders.

It was reported that four suspects in balaclavas entered the property for close to a minute after the couple heard glass smashing and the sound of an alarm. Last month, a legal expert issued a warning for celebrities and influencers that posting their homes and locations online could be making themselves an easy target for criminals.

James Pipe, from freegrantsforfelons.org, told The Mirror: “It’s understandable that people want to share their homes, renovations, and lifestyles with their followers, but criminals are watching too. Posting photos and videos can reveal more than you realise, things like security setups, expensive items, and even clues about when you’re away.”

He pointed out that real-time sharing is the biggest risk and said: “If you’re on holiday and posting updates while your house is empty, you’re basically putting up a ‘no one’s home’ sign for burglars. Even little details like a unique window view or a designer bag in the background can give criminals all the information they need.”