Mark proves he's got the Wright stuff for pro football
Ex-TOWIE star Mark Wright can’t seem to put a foot wrong when it comes to trying his hand at new things. Ever since Wright, 33, crashed onto the reality TV scene as one of the breakout stars of The Only Way Is Essex way back in 2010, fans have watched him grow from strength to strength.
Reality bites
What a lot of people don’t know is that Wright was on the brink of a professional football career before he was on the show, playing in youth teams including West Ham United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Things didn’t quite work out for a variety of reasons but Mark never gave up on his dream.
It's still a mystery why Mark gained so many fans on TOWIE
As one of the original cast members of the show which he exited the next year, he managed to escape the stigma that followed so many other reality stars, managing to forger a career in TV and radio. It’s not easy to break out of the reality show mould, when he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing it was in the capacity of a Heart radio presenter as at the time they had a ‘strict’ no reality stars policy. Things have changed since then of course with YouTubers and Made in Chelsea stars taking to floor on the crown jewel of the BBC’s programming schedule.
Premiership calls?
This week, at long last, Wright can now call himself a professional football player as he made his debut for League Two team, Crawley Town. It was a double whammy for the Wright family too as he is now on the same team as his brother Josh, fulfilling a lifelong dream for the both of them.
Red or dead - on the pitch for Crawley Town
As well as Wright’s presenting skills, his love life has been a regular fixture in the gossip columns post TOWIE along with a stint in America trying his luck at presenting, with mixed results. His marriage to Michelle Keegan has also come under scrutiny due to his reality roots and his long-lasting friendships with many of the cast of the show.
How he fares in the fickle world of professional football remains to be seen but you don’t get into a high-profile team on reality show fame merits, that’s for sure. We’re happy just to sit back and watch Mark play his best game in his footie shorts and all red kit frankly. Go team!