Michelle Keegan's 'gutting' blow as she has 'fresh start' with Mark Wright

Following the news that the Michelle Keegan-led BBC series Ten Pound Poms has been axed after just two series, what might be seen as a blow for the actress could actually represent a “fresh start”, a source tells new. Sadly, it was confirmed last week that the popular period drama, set in Australia in the 1950s, which first hit our screens in 2023, would not be renewed for a third season.

But a source claims exclusively to OK! that, though disappointed, former Corrie star Michelle will be making the most of having more time off – and not having to fly to the other side of the world for long periods – as it means more quality time with husband Mark and their daughter Palma.

“With Michelle, her career is everything. She loves her family and absolutely loves being a mother, but that doesn’t mean she’s not gutted that Ten Pound Poms has been cancelled,” the source claims. “Despite that, she’s definitely found more balance since having Palma, and Mark is always so supportive, so she isn’t complaining.”

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Michelle and her husband of 10 years, former TOWIE star Mark, becameparents for the first time in March. “Together we have a new love to share… Our little girl,” the couple wrote to announce Palma’s birth.

Before having their baby girl, Michelle spent months away at a time to film Ten Pound Poms, which is both set and filmed in Australia.

And while Mark and Michelle, both 38, who share a sprawling family home in Essex, did make as much effort as possible to see one another between filming, Mark previously admitted it “was hard” being so far from his other half.

He remarked in 2023, “You have to learn that you’ve been together for a long time and not seen each other in weeks, so it’s exciting at first, but then it goes back to being a 10-year relationship. The longer you go, the more pressure there is because the longer it’s been.”

Mark added, “I had dinner with Piers Morgan in LA and I told him it was hard. He said, ‘I had this with my wife and we have a three-week rule, so don’t let it go past three weeks.’ And with Australia, it’s a lot of flying.”

However, bar any far-flung new TV projects for Michelle, it seems there won’t be any more long-haul flights, as the BBC confirmed the end of Ten Pound Poms, in which Michelle plays nurse Kate Thorne.

A statement read, “It’s been a joy to bring the story of the Ten Pound Poms to life for BBC viewers and we are really grateful to Danny Brocklehurst, Eleven and all the cast and crew who have worked on the series.” The disappointing news comes months after Michelle admitted she would “be up for it” if the BBC asked her to film a third season.

“I love this show and I feel very lucky to be a part of it. If the audience takes with this season, and there’s hunger there for another season, fingers crossed the BBC will want another one. I’d definitely be up for it,” she said in March, admitting at the time that there would be a slight delay in filming because of her pregnancy and Palma’s birth.

However, with the decision now made for her – and her Sky comedy drama Brassic also wrapping after seven series this year, our source maintains that this is the perfect opportunity for Michelle to settle in and enjoy some well-deserved rest with her family.

“This could actually be a fresh start for Michelle and Mark as they’re really used to being so busy and always spending time apart, so it’s a real opportunity to bond,” they explain.

Since rising to fame in Coronation Street at just 20, Michelle’s career has gone from strength to strength. With roles in dramas such as Our Girl, Brassic and Netflix hit Fool Me Once, her star has continued to rise.

But everyone needs a break, and after announcing her pregnancy at the beginning of the year, Michelle admitted that she was relishing the thought of a rare summer off. “I’m going to take a good chunk of time off to enjoy being a mum. I’m never normally at home in the summer, I’ve always been away working, so I can’t wait.”

And it would seem the Wrights are already making the most of it, with family get-togethers and several picture-postcard family holidays to Spain this year.

Looking back on a recent trip to favourite destination Palma, Mallorca – the place their daughter is named after – Mark gushed on his Heart radio show that the family have loved the quality time together. “Palma went to Palma for the first time, we took a picture in front of the Palma sign. It was a beautiful week. I ate and drank a bit, too.”

And long may the fun times continue, says our source. “They will never get these early days with Palma back, so it’s about savouring the time together and putting everything else on the back burner.”

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