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Inside Mark Wright’s Toxic Family Feud: Secrets and Rivalries Exposed!

BBG News

Back in 2010, when ITV debuted their trailblazing reality series The Only Way is Essex, it was unmistakable that the competitive spirit between Mark and his sister, Jess Wright, was palpable. I, being a devoted follower, found myself captivated by this sibling dynamic.

In my past, I found myself closely associated with Jack Tweed, the late partner of the renowned Jade Goody. Meanwhile, my musical-inclined sibling was passionately pursuing her dream of becoming a successful solo artist, grappling with overwhelming determination to break into the music industry.

Jess, being only fifteen months elder than Mark, was already shining brightly on the TV show’s set. On the other hand, her sibling showed signs of unease regarding his image on television.

Initially, the producers of TOWIE were interested in showcasing Jess and her rising pop career, but it was Mark, with his good looks and charming personality, who eventually captivated the show’s audience of approximately one million viewers.

His turbulent relationship with his girlfriend Lauren Goodger added to his allure.

Inevitably, it wasn’t long before Mark eclipsed his sister. And within four years, he was handed the golden ticket to more mainstream success – a spot on BBC dance show Strictly.

Seeing Mark and Karen Hauer advance to the final while Jess, aged 39, ended up in fourth place, filled her with frustration and annoyance.

‘Jess had been desperate to do it, but it was her brother that bosses wanted,’ says a source close to the family.

‘Although she felt deeply disappointed, she stood by his side, holding onto the hope that someday she, too, might dance on the stage of Strictly.’

More than a decade later Jess has still to realise her dream.

But the rivalries within the Wright family extend far beyond just Mark and Jess alone.

These days, friends say, the family behaves like it’s an Essex ‘dynasty’. And like any big family with ideas of grandeur, there is a strict hierarchy and a lot of machinations. Some of the Wrights are more important than others; while some are less bothered about the fame and celebrity status that TOWIE has afforded them.

‘You get the impression the Wrights think they own Essex,’ said one former co-star of the siblings. ‘They literally think they rule it. Think of the programme Dynasty and you get the idea.

‘It’s all very flashy, it’s about looking beautiful and having the most money for them.’

Another Wright family quirk which hardly pours cold water on this idea is that every man tends to name his son after himself – which means it perhaps came as a relief to Michelle Keegan, Mark’s wife of 10 years, that the couple recently had a daughter.

Mark, 38, and actress Michelle, 37, became first time parents when she gave birth to Palma Elizabeth on March 6.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I had the privilege of attending a truly stunning wedding at the exquisite Hengrave Hall in the heart of Suffolk. This five-star venue played host to a beautiful union, where the couple graciously bestowed upon Hello! magazine the rights to capture their special day through enchanting photographs and an exclusive interview. It was indeed a day to remember.

By that point, it was quite appropriate since Mark had truly become a renowned figure, having recently triumphed on Strictly Come Dancing, and also dating someone who is extremely well-known.

The Wright family, who welcomed her when she relocated from Manchester to Essex in 2014, are known to hold her in high esteem, cherishing and admiring her deeply.

‘But then she is very famous,’ one source close to the family points out.

Those who know the family well say Mark ‘is very much in charge’ these days. But his namesake father, ‘Big Mark’, still pulls the strings too, and is said to enjoy the limelight.

In simpler terms, his high-profile spouse Carol, who entered The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) in 2011, is equally prominent within their family circle. She swiftly garnered attention and became a notable figure on the show by interfering in the romantic affairs of her offspring.

Through her television appearances, she reaped significant benefits, and now at the age of 63, she stands among Instagram’s top mom-influencers, boasting a massive following of over 200,000 people, primarily due to her alluring swimsuit posts.

‘Carol enjoys the limelight, rather,’ says a source familiar with the family. ‘Jess is the apple of her eye, they are bit of a clique, and at events will often keep themselves to themselves.

‘At Mark and Michelle’s wedding when there was a meeting of the Wrights and the Keegans they were seen being rather frosty, like they were shy but they’re not.’

Indeed, life as a Wright is definitely more enjoyable for some than for others.

In my fervent enthusiasm as a dedicated fan, I’d express it this way: ‘If you happen to be named Mark in the Wright clan, you’re undoubtedly the star of the show; if you’re one of the lesser-known cousins, then you surely understand your role.’

Further down in the pecking order is 35-year-old Josh, Jess and Mark’s younger brother.

He was successful as a footballer in the lower leagues, but he is not keen on being flashy like his older siblings. He did, however, briefly entered the spotlight by appearing alongside his father and brother on BBC’s A Wright Family Holiday two years ago.

I’m an avid fan, and let me tell you, Mark is just your typical Essex lad, while Josh, he’s down-to-earth, humble, and not at all showy, as a family friend puts it.

In simpler terms, the sentence means that this person lives in a completely distinct environment compared to Mark and Jess. He admires them and their accomplishments, but he doesn’t desire to participate in the lifestyle associated with celebrity status – something he has never desired and will not do so in the future.

‘The entire Wright clan holds him in high esteem; he’s truly a charming lad. Despite not holding a prominent position, he seems unbothered by it.’

Stepping into the limelight among my esteemed siblings, it’s none other than our cherished Natalya, who at just 24 years old, has already captured the hearts of many. As the youngest in our family, she was a tender 10 when “The Only Way is Essex” (TOWIE) first graced our screens, but my dear mother, Carol, has always been vocal about Natalya’s destiny as a shining starlet.

Described as a ‘real sweetheart’, some members of the Wright family are fearful that she might get caught up in the trappings of fame.

They might be too late, however – she has already signed with a celebrity agent.

At the lower levels reside Mark’s relatives. The oldest among them goes by the name Little Eddie, who lost his father, Big Eddie, during the pandemic after a lengthy eight-week fight against covid.

I’m told he isn’t especially close to Mark and Jess and unlike them is ‘very quiet’.

‘Young Eddie tends to be quite independent, showing little curiosity about the activities of his well-known relatives. He prefers to steer clear of the limelight and its associated fame.’

In my personal perspective, I find myself rather low down in the hierarchy, but that’s alright. I have a very special bond with my dear little sister Leah, who is 46 years old. She is often described as kind-hearted and compassionate, and she manages to maintain her independence by living her life away from me, which I deeply respect.

Initially, Leah made an appearance on TOWIE in 2011 with a less significant role. However, she stepped away from the show in 2015 to focus on raising her three kids.

Leah recently became an ambassador for domestic abuse charity Refuge after bravely sharing her story of being a survivor of physical, financial and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex.

Leah is a no-nonsense individual who speaks her mind without engaging in unnecessary arguments and drama.

In a different sense, her younger brother Elliott holds a special position. He’s particularly close to Mark, which makes him rank higher than his other siblings in the family hierarchy.

He has two teenage kids – Elliott and Olivia, whom he named after his restaurant in Spain’s Costa Del Sol – and is frequently referred to as a “surrogate big brother” by Mark.

Elliott, who was also a mainstay in TOWIE, is definitely in the Wright A-list, but is said to be ‘lovable and generous’.

I’m quite familiar with James ‘Arge’ Argent, a good friend and musical companion of Mark’s. Frequently, we can be found jamming together at our local Spanish eatery.

Then there are Mark’s other two cousins: Georgie – named after Mark’s uncle George – and his sister Alix. Even the most ardent of TOWIE fans would have struggled to have heard of either of them.

Georgie is relatively unknown but did appear on Mark’s ‘Hollywood Nights’ show back in 2012 which saw Mark and a group of mates fly out to LA on holiday.

I recently tied the knot with my beloved, Sophie Kane, in May 2022. We made a joyful announcement that we are expecting our little miracle back in November. My cousin Natalya and I share a special bond, and she was kind enough to share a beautiful picture of our wedding day on her social media. In addition to our married life, I have been enjoying some fun nights out with Mark and Elliott.

Although Alix may not often be in the spotlight, she frequently shares posts on her Instagram about the Wright family and actively participates in their social events.

A source said: ‘Georgie and Alix are quietly part of the family.’

Afterward, there’s Nanny Pat, Carol’s mother, who passed away in 2015 after a brief sickness at the age of 80 due to an illness.

Known as Pat Brooker, she gained popularity on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) during her five-year stint due to her witty quips and signature hairstyle of plaited sausages.

‘She was such a legend,’ said the family insider. ‘She wasn’t a Wright by blood as she was Carol’s mum but she loved the family and they loved her back.’

And by the sounds of it, not everyone close to the family has been quite so lucky.

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2025-03-17 15:07

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