Mark Wright revealed on ITV’s This Morning why he and his wife Michelle Keegan chose the unique name for their baby daughter, Palma. The couple, who tied the knot in 2015, welcomed their first child, a girl named Palma Elizabeth Wright, on March 6.
They announced the happy news on March 12, sharing a touching photo of their hands cradling the baby’s hand. It was widely speculated that the couple picked the unusual name due to their fondness for the city of Palma in Majorca, where they often spend their leisure time.
However, Mark clarified to hosts Dermot O’Leary and Sian Welby: “We just loved the name. We loved the name Palmer, with an ‘er’ and we just liked an ‘a’ on the end, we just liked the way it read. We just liked the name really.”
Sharing the sofa with fellow new dad and Heart FM co-star Olly Murs, Mark described fatherhood as “the best thing” and couldn’t help but gush over his “amazing” baby daughter. He shared: “She’s amazing, she’s so good. She’s only five weeks old and we get to 11pm and she goes to sleep and she won’t wake up again until about 5, which is incredible.”
Mark also confessed that he’s been receiving plenty of parenting tips from Olly, whose daughter Maddy is nearing her first birthday – and even pop superstar Ed Sheeran has offered some advice, reports Wales Online.
He gushed: “We saw Ed Sheeran last week on our show and the first thing he said to me – and I’m a superfan of Ed, I didn’t even know he knew who I was – he walked up and he went ‘how are you feeling?’ I didn’t know he knew I had a child. He said ‘Trust me, it gets easier!'”
Recently Mark also shared a heartwarming moment with listeners at Heart FM studio, saying: “I’ve got a very special moment happening right now to me. I am doing the show to you on Heart, I love being here, I love playing the songs like Amy Winehouse on the way and Jessie J. But at the same time, I have got my baby Palma in my arms.
“It is the first time I’ve brought her to work, I mean, it’s only been five weeks, so you’d think so. But it’s just the best feeling ever! I don’t know if you’ve ever taken your kid to work before, but the pride that you have walking through the office and everyone going ‘aw she’s so cute.’
“She’s on my shoulder right now, and I better be careful because she might learn a few tricks and end up coming for my job one day, but I wouldn’t mind.”
Before his daughter’s arrival, Mark opened up about his nerves over becoming a dad for the first time.
Appearing on BBC’s The One Show earlier in February, the TV star discussed his new home improvement series with hosts Roman Kemp and Lauren Laverne, but conversation soon turned to his exciting baby news.
Lauren broke into the conversation to offer her well-wishes to Mark, saying: “We’ve got to say congratulations because since we last saw you, you and your wife Michelle Keegan have announced that you’re expecting a baby. Your first child together, so it’s all go on the home front.”
Clearly thrilled, Mark replied: “Thank you very much. Very exciting times ahead, a little bit nerve-wracking but I’m ready. I’m excited!”.
This Morning is on ITV1 weekdays at 10am and on ITVX
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