When Mark Wright was a no-show at TOWIE star Elliott Wright’s recent wedding, it raised eyebrows.
After all, the pair are cousins and known to be very close, so everybody had been expecting Mark and wife Michelle Keegan to be among the well-wishers.
But Mark, 30, had a very good reason for not being able to make the nuptials: he’s busy at work in Los Angeles establishing his US TV career.
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Chatting to The Sun, a gutted Mark said he was devastated to have missed his cousin’s big day, but work commitments had made it impossible for him to attend.
“I really, really wanted to go to the wedding,” said Mark.
“I tried everything I could but the new job I have, holiday time in America is a lot different, it’s a lot stricter and you only get a certain amount of time.”
Mark is working as a showbiz correspondent on LA-based entertainment show Extra, which is hosted by former Saved By The Bell star Mario Lopez (aka Slater, ah memories!)
He added: “I speak to Elliott every day. It’s upsetting I couldn’t be there.”
The former TOWIE star said he’d likely do something else to mark Elliott’s big day with him, after wishing him and new wife Sadie all the best.
And there’s no hard feelings from Elliott, either, who told MailOnline he was proud of Mark’s blossoming career.
Speaking ahead of the big day, Elliott had said: “I can’t knock him, I’m very supportive and I’m very proud of him and if he can be at our wedding then fantastic.
“If he can’t I know he’ll be upset but it’s a career choice and I accept it.
“He’s had the opportunity of a lifetime, we’re very close, very close, as close can be.”
Mark started his job in the US in September after relocating from the UK.
As well as forcing him to miss Elliott’s wedding, the move has also meant Mark will be separated from wife Michelle for a long period of time.
She’s been all over the place in recent months filming the third series of BBC army drama Our Girl, which has taken her to the likes of South Africa, Nepal and Malaysia.
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While she’s finished filming and finally has a break, Mark’s still hard at work in the US.
However, the pair have both laughed off constant reports the time apart has led to cracks in their marriage, insisting they are as strong as always.
Don’t listen to ’em haters, guys!