Michelle Keegan pays tribute to Mark Wright on his 34th birthday

They have been a couple since 2012. 

And Michelle Keegan proved her love for husband Mark Wright, who she wed in 2015, is stronger than ever nine years down the line, as she took to Instagram to pay tribute to the TOWIE star on his 34th birthday on Wednesday. 

Alongside sweet throwback snaps, the actress, 33, wrote: ‘You drive me mental and keep me sane at the same time. So proud of you for everything you do and the person that you are. Can’t wait to celebrate properly with you x’

Michelle shot to fame playing Tina McIntyre on Coronation Street in 2007, while Mark’s rise to prominence came three years later when he was one of the original stars of The Only Way Is Essex in its 2010 inaugural series. 

He was renowned for his fiery relationship with Lauren Goodger, to whom he became engaged in 2011 before splitting later that year, and also his flings with Sam Faiers, Lucy Mecklenburgh and a host of other women. 

Michelle meanwhile was engaged to The Wanted singer in 2011 before they split up in 2012, leading to her romance with Mark later that year, when they met at Dubai’s N’Dulge night club at the Atlantis Palm.  

Just nine months later, Mark popped the question and they went on to marry in May 2015 at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Five years on, Michelle gave a touching insight into their bond as she posted the birthday message to her love alongside a sweet snap showing them cuddling in flower crowns and another image with his arms draped over her shoulders. 

Earlier this week, Mark reflected that he misses taking Michelle on romantic trips and is keen to enjoy ‘parties and pub visits’ again, and want to adhere to the government’s tough restrictions so it will be possible to do so again.

Writing a column for The Sun on Tuesday, he claimed: ‘Like everyone else, I long to go back to parties and pub visits.

‘I have had the same group of 15 friends since childhood and we usually go to the pub every week. I miss them all dearly and I miss being able to whisk my wife Michelle away for the weekend and going on holiday, but I can’t.’ 

While he claimed he wasn’t ‘moaning’ about the fact he couldn’t take Michelle on holiday or see his friends, he added: ‘I still want to return to our old life, and we will be living that sooner rather than later if people follow the rules.’ 

Mark’s name has been hurled into headlines this week after his ex-fiancée Lauren announced she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend Charles Drury. 

Mark and Lauren’s tumultuous relationship was filled with infidelity on Mark’s part, trust issues, and tensions between Lauren and his family. The couple cut off their engagement in May 2011, just five months after his proposal. 

Lauren later revealed she had an abortion at the age of 20 after the couple decided they weren’t ready to become parents.

She told OK! in 2011: ‘I did think I was pregnant. I’m not on the pill and haven’t been for a little while, just because of my cells, not because I was planning a baby and thank God we didn’t.

 ‘I was late once and I think it was the stress of what was going on. I’ve been pregnant before with his baby but I chose not to have it. I was only 20. No one knows except my close family.’