Michelle Keegan, 38, heads out for a solo coffee date in Essex on Saturday, shortly after reports surfaced that her family felt upset on her wedding day due to comments from her in-laws.
The former Coronation Street actress, married to Mark Wright, 39, from The Only Way Is Essex, appears unfazed by the rumors. She carries a book and earphones into a local cafe, dressed in a white fluffy zip-up sweatshirt, skintight black leggings, crew socks, and nude trainers. A brown suede bag completes her casual look.
Michelle settles in with Harlan Coben’s The Woods, following her lead role in the Netflix adaptation Fool Me Once earlier in 2024. Witnesses spot her engaged in what looks like a tense phone conversation during the visit.
Reports of Family Tension
Claims highlight friction with her mother-in-law, Carol Wright, 65, labeled by some as a challenging family figure. Sources describe Carol as deeply devoted to her sons, delivering subtle criticisms that Michelle notices.
Representatives deny any rift, emphasizing a close and supportive bond between Carol and Michelle.
Podcast Sparks Backlash
The controversy ignites after comments on the Wright family podcast, Wright At Home, hosted by Carol alongside daughters Jess and Natalya. In a recent episode, they criticize thong bikinis as ‘gross and unattractive.’
Jess states: ‘I can’t stand how it’s acceptable to walk around on the beach in a thong.’ Natalya adds: ‘Do you know what’s worse, these girls who do wear them, fair enough if you’re gonna wear them, at least if you’re gonna bend over and put your towel over your bed, put a sarong on!’ Carol chimes in: ‘I really do think this is not sexy for men to look at.’
Carol recounts a holiday story: ‘Me and daddy was walking along the promenade and there were three girls in front of us and they were all different shapes and sizes but they had their whole arses out and daddy was looking and he said: ‘It doesn’t even look sexy’.’ Jess mentions her husband Will ‘hates’ thong bikinis, while Carol notes husband Mark Sr finds them ‘unsexy.’
Jess and Natalya later apologize, and the clip vanishes from their social media. Yet, it spreads on TikTok, drawing accusations of hypocrisy. Users point to Jess’s past TOWIE appearances in revealing bikinis, with comments like: ‘Did no one see Jess on Towie? She was always in this sort of bikini… pot kettle black.’
Friends suggest the remarks target Michelle, who runs the Orfila Bee swimwear line and shares bikini photos on Instagram.
