EXCLUSIVE: Former TOWIE star Jessica Wright spoke to the Mirror about her brother Mark Wright becoming a parent with Michelle Keegan whilst on the BAFTA red carpet
Reality TV star Jessica Wright has opened up about her brother Mark Wright becoming a parent. Jess praised her younger sibling and teased why she isn’t yet offering to babysit her newborn niece, Palma, for the presenter.
Mark, 38, and his wife Michelle Keegan, 37, announced the birth of their “little girl” Palma, who is now two months old, in March. Jess, 39 – who is a parent herself to son Presley, two – later described the couple as “incredible parents”.
The Mirror caught up with Jess at the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises. She was among the guests on the red carpet at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London yesterday ahead of the TV awards ceremony.
Asked what it’s been like seeing her brother Mark take on his new role as a parent, Jess told us: “It’s been amazing.” The former the Only Way is Essex star went on to gush over him and her newborn niece Palma in our interview.
Whilst talking about her sibling, she said on the red carpet: “He’s taken to it like a duck to water. He’s brilliant. He’s amazing. He’s really a great dad already.” Jess shared that she wasn’t surprised though, adding: “I had no doubt.”
Speaking about Mark’s daughter, she said: “She’s amazing! The best little girl.” Jess – who has two nephews through her youngest brother Josh Wright, 35 – then added about the new arrival of the family: “I’m so happy I have a niece.”
When asked if she’s offering to babysit Palma, Jess laughed. She then teased: “Not quite!” She went on to share that her son – who turns three later this month – keeps her busy enough. She said: “Presley keeps me on my toes enough.”
Her brother Mark previously teased that he enjoyed his “first night out” with his wife Michelle since Palma’s arrival at Jess’ Have A Heart Gala last month. Jess also spoke to us about the recent fundraising event on the BAFTAS red carpet.
The gala was held at the Savoy on April 24 in support of the Brompton Fountain, which supports the care of seriously ill children. It was shared prior that Jess was collaborating with the charity to raise awareness and funds to provide support for children with severe heart and lung conditions.
Jess previously announced that her own son, Presley, had been diagnosed with congenital heart disease, Bicuspid Aortic Valve. She shared the news last year and has since spoken about the condition, including having revealed that Presley will need open-heart surgery at some point.
Reflecting on the gala, she told us on the weekend: “It was absolutely incredible. The build up to it was pretty intense but I’m so pleased we did it because we raised a quarter of a million pounds, which is pretty epic for a small charity like the Brompton Fountain – so [I’m] absolutely over the moon!”
Asked what it means to be involved with an event like the Have A Heart Gala and raise so much money, given her personal connection to the cause, Jess shared her pride. She also expressed hope over its potential impact.
She said: “I’m just really proud that I can use my platform to make some good out of some really awful, tragic stuff which is basically, essentially, open-heart surgery on children and other complications within the heart. So yeah, I’m just really, really happy that I can make a change, hopefully in a positive way with the platform that I have so gratefully been given.”
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