Mark Wright has shared his pride over becoming a parent to daughter Palma with his wife Michelle Keegan, but has also said he missed out on a career goal due to parenthood
Mark Wright misses out on interviewing Robert De Niro in Heart studio
Presenter Mark Wright has revealed that he’s missed out on a long-awaited career opportunity due to the arrival of his newborn daughter Palma. It comes after he announced the baby’s birth with his wife Michelle Keegan just last week.
Mark, 38, and Michelle, 37, announced the Palma’s birth in a joint post on social media, with the couple sharing that she was born two weeks ago on March 6. They were met with supportive messages from pals and have both since shared updates from their life as parents of a newborn.
Former the Only Way is Essex cast member Mark has now revealed that his daughter’s arrival meant he wasn’t able to interview Robert De Niro, 81, in person recently. The actor visited the Heart studio with Debra Messing, 56, for the interview whilst promoting their new film the Alto Knights.
The interview – released today but thought to have been recorded prior – was for Heart’s Saturday Breakfast show, which Mark co-hosts with his pal Olly Murs, 40. Whilst Olly was in the studio to speak to the two guests, Mark instead appeared through a video call displayed on a screen.
Olly told Robert and Debra that Mark was “devastated” to not be there in person. He said: “Behind my left shoulder you can see [Mark]. Unfortunately, he can’t make it today to talk to you guys. He’s absolutely devastated.”
Mark commented: “I was supposed to be there. The one time …” He continued: “Robert, when I lived in LA I interviewed nearly everybody in your field and the one person I never got to do, who I wanted to do, was yourself!”
He then shared: “So when it came up that you were coming in to Heart, I was like ‘yes’. And then my wife decided to have a baby. And it means I can’t be in the studio.” Mark appeared to add: “Literally a couple of days ago.”
The two guests both congratulated Mark over the news. Asked for further details about his baby, he told them: “A little girl called Palma.” Debra said it was “beautiful,” whilst Robert commented: “Ah that’s nice. Nice name.”
Mark lived in Los Angeles between 2017 and 2019, before moving back to the UK. He worked as a host on Extra whilst based in the US and interviewed the likes of Jane Fonda, Jamie Foxx and Chris Pratt whilst a presenter on the show.
Although Mark wasn’t able to interview Robert in the studio, he did ask questions over the video call. And despite his apparent disappointment, the radio host has previously shared his pride and excitement over becoming a parent.
It comes after he and Michelle announced their daughter’s birth in a post on Instagram last week. Alongside a photo of the newborn, they wrote: “Together we have a new love to share… Our little girl. Palma Elizabeth Wright. 06.03.25.”
Mark later paid tribute his wife during a discussion on parenthood on his radio show last weekend. Asked how he was feeling, Mark said: “It’s actually hard to put it into words. I’ll start by saying it’s the biggest achievement of my life. It’s all I think about.”
He added: “But obviously, hats goes off to my wife. She’s an absolute superhuman superhero for bringing this baby into the world. And it makes you realise, like what our mums did for us, and makes me have so much more respect than I already had and what women have to go through.”
Mark continued by telling pal Olly: “But other than that, it’s the best feeling in the world. I wake up every morning just so excited to see her face. Every time I wake up, I’m like ‘oh, she’s there.’ And that moment when I held her in my arms, I mean, it gets me emotional now thinking about it.”
He went on to share at the time: “It’s just, I suppose, everything else goes out the window. And it’s made me realise what life is all about. And my little baby, Palma, I love you so much. I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
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