Mark Wright (TV personality) explained

Mark Wright
Birth Name:Mark Charles Edward Wright[1]
Birth Date:1987 1, df=y
Birth Place:Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England[2]
Relatives:Jess Wright (sister)
Josh Wright (brother)
Module:
Embed:yes
Position:Left-back
Youthyears1:1994–1998
Youthclubs1:West Ham United
Youthyears2:1998–2001
Youthclubs2:Arsenal
Youthyears3:2001–2005
Youthclubs3:Tottenham Hotspur
Years1:2005–2006
Clubs1:Southend United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2005–2006
Clubs2:Lewes (loan)
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Years3:2006–2007
Clubs3:Grays Athletic
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2006–2007
Clubs4:Crawley Town (loan)
Caps4:9
Goals4:1
Years5:2007
Clubs5:→ Rushden & Diamonds (loan)
Caps5:3
Goals5:0
Years6:2007
Clubs6:St Albans City (loan)
Years7:2007
Clubs7:Bishop's Stortford
Years8:2007
Clubs8:Fisher Athletic
Years9:2008–2009
Clubs9:Thurrock
Caps9:19
Goals9:2
Years10:2009
Clubs10:Bishop's Stortford
Caps10:21
Goals10:1
Years11:2011
Clubs11:Heybridge Swifts
Caps11:2
Goals11:0
Years12:2011
Clubs12:Thurrock
Caps12:0
Goals12:0
Years13:2020–2021
Caps13:1
Goals13:0
Totalcaps:62
Totalgoals:4
Nationalyears1:2008
Nationalteam1:England C
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:16:08, 6 February 2021 (UTC)

Mark Charles Edward Wright (born 20 January 1987) is an English television personality, football pundit, entertainment reporter, and former semi-professional footballer who last played for side Crawley Town. He is best known for appearing as a cast member on the first three series of The Only Way Is Essex. Wright gained more popularity after appearing on the eleventh series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! where he finished as runner-up, and the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing, where he finished in fourth place.

He is also a current presenter on Heart's Saturday afternoon slot.

Career

Football

Before his appearances on The Only Way Is Essex, Wright was a semi-professional footballer, with a youth career at West Ham United,[3] Arsenal,[4] and Tottenham Hotspur.

He started his senior career with Southend United, but moved into nightclub promoting and playing only semi-professionally. In November 2006, he was loaned from Grays Athletic to fellow Conference National side Crawley Town.[5] On 27 January 2007, he scored the only goal of a 1–0 win at Tamworth.[6] In March that year, he was loaned to Rushden & Diamonds for the rest of the season.[7] Wright played once for the England national football C team, playing in a defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina B on 16 September 2008.[8]

In January 2012, it was reported that he rekindled his semi-professional footballing career, by signing for St Neots Town, but this was denied by Wright on his Twitter account.[9]

Wright made his return to professional football on 14 December 2020, signing for League Two side Crawley Town on a non-contract basis.[10] He made his professional debut at the age of 33 in the third round of the FA Cup, coming on as a 90th minute substitute as Crawley won 3–0 against Premier League side Leeds United on 10 January 2021.[11] His brother, Josh, also played in the match, having signed for Crawley in January 2021.[12] Wright made his first professional start in League Two against Harrogate Town on 6 February, and was substituted at half time in a 3–1 home loss.[13] He was released by Crawley at the end of the 2020–21 season.[14]

Television

In October 2010, Wright was one of the original cast members in the ITV reality programme The Only Way is Essex. He announced his departure from the show on 23 October 2011, near the end of the third series. He later returned for a cameo appearance in the sixth series and also, for the 2012 Christmas special. He briefly returned again in 2014 and again in 2016.

In November 2011, Wright took part in the eleventh series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. He was the runner-up, losing to McFly bassist Dougie Poynter.[15] [16]

From January 2012 until 2017, Wright and Laura Jackson co-presented the Take Me Out spin-off programme for ITV2. Zoe Hardman previously hosted with Wright. The series did not air in 2018.[17] He also appeared as a fitness expert on the ITV Breakfast programme Daybreak for two weeks, to front its mini series Downsize in Dubai.[18]

From 20 June to 7 July 2012, Wright presented and starred in a new ITV2 show, titled Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights. It was later dropped after one series.[19] He was due to co-present with Melanie Sykes on a new entertainment series named My Man Can. After filming one series, ITV made the decision not to air the show.[20]

Since 2013, Wright was a reporter on the ITV series Surprise Surprise.

In 2014, Wright fronted his own ITV2 reality show entitled Party Wright Around The World. In 2014, Wright was one of the celebrities competing in the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was paired up with professional dancer Karen Hauer.[21] The couple made into the final in which they came fourth.[22]

Wright also presented The Dengineers with Lauren Layfield on CBBC from 2015 until 2017. He left at the end of the second series and was replaced by Joe Tracini.

In December 2016, Wright made an appearance on an episode of E!'s The Royals (season 3, episode 1).

Wright presented on the American entertainment news programme EXTRA by Warner Bros from 2017 to 2020.

Wright presents series 6 of Channel 5's The Bachelor, based on the US television show of the same name.

On 5 July 2019, Wright guest presented This Morning with Rochelle Humes.[23] Wright starred in the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? in September 2019.[24]

In January 2021, Wright featured in a BBC iPlayer mini-series, Mark Wright: The Last Chance, about his efforts to revive his professional football career with Crawley Town.[25] [26]

Radio

Since 24 December 2012, Wright has presented the "Club Classics" show every Friday and Saturday evening on Heart, between 7pm and 9pm.[27] He left in December 2017 when he moved to the United States, and returned to the station in July 2019. In March 2020, after the defection of Sian Welby to Capital FM, he took up the Monday to Thursday evening slot at the station.

In December 2021, he left the Monday-Thursday evening slot with Dev Griffin taking over at the start of the new year. He now presents the Saturday early evening show from 4-7pm.[28]

Other work

In June 2013, Wright was signed by online retail giant, Littlewoods, as its new face of menswear, which sees him style and model a capsule collection each season for Littlewoods' own-brand menswear line, Goodsouls.[29] In September 2018 he was signed by Matalan as the face of their menswear range.[30]

In June 2016, he took part in Soccer Aid for the first time. He played for 'England'. He scored a goal from a direct free kick in the 3–2 victory, and was named Man of the Match. Wright also played in the 2018 and 2019 editions of Soccer Aid.

Personal life

Mark is the son of Carol and Mark Wright, Sr, and the brother of fellow professional footballer Josh Wright, with whom he played alongside at Crawley Town, and fellow The Only Way is Essex cast member Jess Wright.[31] He has a younger sister.[32]

On 22 February 2009, Wright was best man at the wedding of the reality star Jade Goody and Jack Tweed, as he was a childhood friend of the groom. Footage of the ceremony was shown in the Sky Living series Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain in 2019.[33] In August 2011, Wright appeared at Redbridge Magistrates' Court charged with using threatening behaviour on a night out. He was found not guilty, while Tweed pleaded guilty to common assault.[34]

Wright was in a relationship with fellow TOWIE cast member Lauren Goodger.[35] Since December 2012, Wright has been in a relationship with former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan. They married on 24 May 2015.[36] [37]

In December 2021, Wright underwent an operation to remove a 12 cm tumour.[38]

According to Who Do You Think You Are?, Mark's great-great-grandfather was of Jewish heritage, and his nine-times great grandfather, David Antonio de Mendoza, was a converso of Sephardic Jewish descent who was arrested by the Spanish Inquisition in 1696 accused of secretly practising his ancestors' religion. David, who was 36 at the time, was tortured for two years in Seville using methods including the toca. Once out of prison, David moved his family to Amsterdam where it was safe to practise their faith. His nephew Miguel, however, returned to Spain and was burned at the stake.[24]

Politics

Wright is a supporter of the Conservative Party and had previously called for people to support then-Prime Minister Theresa May, plus endorsing Shaun Bailey for the 2021 London Mayoral election.[39]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Grays Athletic2006–07[40] Conference National00001010
Crawley Town (loan)2006–07Conference National91000091
Rushden & Diamonds (loan)2006–07[41] Conference National30001040
Thurrock2008–09[42] Conference South1921031233
Bishop's Stortford2008–09Conference South1310000131
2009–10[43] Conference South80000080
Total2110000211
Heybridge Swifts2011–12[44] [45] Isthmian League Division One North20000020
Crawley Town2020–21League Two10100020
Career total5542051625

Filmography

As himself! Year! Title! Notes
2010–2011The Only Way Is EssexSeries regular
2011I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!Series 11 runner-up
2012DaybreakGuest health expert
2012–2013, 2015–2017Co-presenter
2012 Mark Wright's Hollywood NightsPresenter
2012 Mark Wright's Football Saints and SinnersPresenter
2013–2015Surprise SurpriseReporter
2014Party Wright Around the WorldPresenter
2014Strictly Come DancingContestant
2015–2017The Dengineers Co-presenter
2017–2020ExtraPresenter
2019The BachelorPresenter
2019Who Do You Think You Are?Participant
2019Strictly Come Dancing Christmas SpecialContestant
2021Mark Wright: The Last ChanceSelf, documentary
2023The Challenge UKHost[46]
2023Co-host[47]
2023A Wright Old AdventureSelf[48]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL Squad Numbering . English Football League . 44 . 10 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Academy Hotseat – Mark Wright – News Articles. Tottenhamhotspur.com . 2012-03-05.
  3. Web site: Mark Wright Explains His Love Affair With Football. The FA. 5 June 2014. 15 November 2015.
  4. Web site: Reality TV star to buy stake in football club. Alex. Smith. 20 March 2017. mirror. 14 December 2020.
  5. News: Transfers – November 2006 . 6 February 2021 . BBC Sport . 28 November 2006.
  6. News: Tamworth 0–1 Crawley . 6 February 2021 . BBC Sport . 27 January 2007.
  7. News: Wright leaves Grays for Rushden . 6 February 2021 . BBC Sport . 20 March 2007.
  8. Web site: mark wright – fact file. archive.mehstg.com.
  9. Web site: Unreal confusion over reality star Mark Wright. Cambridge News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141026181309/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Unreal-confusion-reality-star-Mark-Wright/story-22384984-detail/story.html. 26 October 2014. dmy-all.
  10. Web site: Mark Wright signs for the Reds . www.crawleytownfc.com. 14 December 2020.
  11. Web site: Crawley Town 3–0 Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa's side suffer huge FA Cup upset . BBC Sport . 10 January 2021 . 10 January 2021.
  12. Web site: Cameron . Tom . 8 January 2021 . Josh Wright joins the Reds . 8 January 2021 . www.crawleytownfc.com . Crawley Town F.C..
  13. News: Crawley Town 1–3 Harroagte Town . 6 February 2021 . BBC Sport . 6 February 2021.
  14. News: Crawley release reality TV star Wright. BBC Sport .
  15. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s100/im-a-celebrity-uk/news/a354234/im-a-celeb-runner-up-mark-wright-it-was-an-honour-to-be-myself.html 'I'm a Celeb' runner-up Mark Wright: 'It was an honour to be myself'
  16. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s100/im-a-celebrity-uk/news/a354274/97m-see-dougie-poynter-crowned-king-of-the-jungle-on-im-a-celeb.html 9.7m see Dougie Poynter crowned King of the Jungle on 'I'm a Celeb'
  17. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s143/the-only-way-is-essex/news/a355780/towie-mark-wright-zoe-hardman-to-front-take-me-out-spinoff-show.html TOWIE Mark Wright, Zoe Hardman to front Take Me Out spinoff show
  18. Web site: Daybreak signs up Mark Wright "to keep people fit and healthy". 2011-12-21 . Metro. 2011-12-07.
  19. Web site: Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights axed after one series . Metro . 25 August 2012 . 22 April 2014.
  20. Web site: Mark Wright, Melanie Sykes relationship show 'My Man Can' 'axed' by ITV . Digital Spy . 5 June 2013 . 22 April 2014.
  21. Web site: Mark Wright confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2014 . Digital Spy . 22 August 2014. 2014-08-22 .
  22. Web site: Caroline Flack wins Strictly. 20 December 2014. BBC.
  23. Web site: This Morning viewers blast Rochelle Humes and Mark Wright presenting. Katie. Brooks. 5 July 2019. BirminghamLive.
  24. Web site: Mark Wright's emotional family discovery on Who Do You Think You Are?. 11 September 2019. inews.co.uk.
  25. Web site: Mark Wright: The Last Chance on BBC iPlayer. bbc.com.
  26. Web site: Mark Wright on reviving his football career after quitting the game at 20. 9 January 2021.
  27. Web site: Mark Wright returns to weekends on Heart. 3 July 2019. 14 December 2020.
  28. News: Rosseinsky . Katie . Mark Wright 'buzzing' as he lands new Heart Radio role . 6 February 2021 . Evening Standard . 3 July 2019.
  29. Web site: Mark Wright proves he's a natural in front of the camera as he poses for his first modelling campaign . Mirror . 25 June 2013 . 22 April 2014.
  30. Web site: Matalan launch this year's Alder Hey Christmas pyjamas range. Amy. Browne. 18 September 2019. Liverpool Echo. 14 December 2020.
  31. News: Wright joins brother Mark at Crawley. BBC Sport .
  32. Natalya Wright: everything you need to know about Mark Wright's sister. Mellin. Hannah. Closer. London. 16 June 2021. 13 November 2022.
  33. News: Davies . Megan . Our Girl's Michelle Keegan explains Mark Wright cameo in Jade Goody documentary . 6 February 2021 . Digital Spy . 22 August 2019.
  34. News: Mark Wright found not guilty after Woodford Green bar scuffle . 6 February 2021 . Ilford Recorder . 4 August 2011.
  35. News: 'Respect my wife and get over it': Mark Wright hits back at ex Lauren Goodger and her 'endless' mentions . 6 February 2021 . The Irish Independent . 10 June 2015.
  36. Web site: Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright get married in Bury St Edmunds. BBC. 24 May 2015. 25 May 2015.
  37. Web site: Sharda. Angela. Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright marry in £1m ceremony. International Business Times. 24 May 2015. 25 May 2015.
  38. Web site: 'Get checked' says Mark Wright after tumour removal. BBC. 9 December 2021. 9 December 2021.
  39. https://twitter.com/MarkWright_/status/1389271329686294531
  40. Web site: Statistics: Grays Athletic. 2021-01-29. www.graysath-online.com.
  41. Web site: 2017-09-23 . Mark Wright . 2023-05-19 . rdfc1992 . en.
  42. Book: Tony . Williams . James . Wright . Non-League Club Directory 2010 . 2009 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-66-4 . 390–391.
  43. Web site: Mark Wright Profile | Aylesbury United FC. www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk.
  44. Web site: ALL COMPETITIONS : Player's Appearances – Wright Mark Charles Edward. 2021-02-26. football.mitoo.co.uk.
  45. Web site: TV star Mark Wright quits Heybridge Swifts having played twice. Essex Chronicle. 5 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20111102205624/http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/TV-star-Mark-Wright-quits-Heybridge-Swifts-having/story-13675621-detail/story.html. 2 November 2011. dead.
  46. Web site: The Challenge UK. radiotimes.com. 14 February 2023.
  47. Web site: Longeretta. Emily. 'The Challenge: World Championship' Reveals New Hosts and Format, Sets Paramount+ Release Date (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. 6 March 2023. January 25, 2023.
  48. Web site: Mark Wright, his younger brother Josh and their dad Mark Sr are going on an adventure... and the BBC is going with them!. bbc.com/mediacentre. 30 May 2023.