Michelle Keegan says people “can’t get their heads around” her long-distance relationship with husband Mark Wright – but it works fine.
The Our Girl actress, 30, has been out of the UK for eight months of the year filming.
But she is now back at home and says it has become easier to see husband Mark, 31, even though he is currently based in Los Angeles, where he works on entertainment show, Extra.
“I was away for eight months last year so at the minute I’m just having a bit of time out,” said Michelle, who announced the BAFTA TV nominations on Wednesday with Ore Oduba.
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She told the Press Association: “It’s nice to catch up and do normal things, see my friends, meet my mum for a coffee.
“I’m able to go to LA now and see Mark now. It’s just nice to be able to breathe.”
The former Coronation Street star said of the couple’s marriage: “People always thought it was really hard… but we have FaceTime.
“We spoke all the time. People can’t get their heads around that. The moments when we do really see each other now are really special.”
It’s not the first time Michelle has spoken out about their long-distance relationship – and how it’s baffling to her that people continue to speculate whether all is okay in her marriage.
She told The Sun last year: “It’s been hard enough being away anyway, but then to contend with all that. It just comes from nowhere.
“I don’t understand how a couple can’t have their separate careers, and why can’t a newly married woman go off and do her job and a husband go off and do his?”
Mark echoed those comments in a chat with Good Morning Britain earlier this year, when he said: “I miss her and she misses me. Right now we make sure we see each other as much as we can.”
The couple, who married in 2015, have frequently had to fend off rumours about the state of their marriage, and have always said they’re stronger than ever, despite the distance between them.
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Michelle previously told Closer magazine she tries to look at the positives of working on opposite sides of the world, which includes really appreciating their time together when it comes.
“Last year I had a lot of time off work so we literally spent all day and night together, but at the moment it’s nice to spend some time apart and be able to miss each other again,” she said.
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