Mark Wright warms up in full kit on pro football debut as wife Michelle says she’s ‘proud’ – but he’s not in the team
MARK Wright smiled as he jogged about the pitch today as he made his match debut as a professional footballer for Crawley Town.
However, the 33-year-old isn't actually eligible to play because, as The Sun revealed last week, he signed on too late in the season.
But he turned up for the warm-up at Leyton Orient's Breyer Group Stadium in London's East End and posed for pictures with his teammates.
Mark, who was seen doing stretches in the black and red kit, will be available to play for the team in little over a month's time - from January 21.
However, the side did pretty well without him today, beating Leyton Orient by a goal, with the match ending 2-1 to the visitors.
The former Towie star's wife Michelle Keegan was bursting with pride at his appointment to the squad.
The 33-year-old wrote on Instagram: "Never known such a hard working determined person.
"The word ‘can’t’ just isn’t in your vocabulary. Congratulations. So proud of you xxx❤️"
Mark replied simply: "I love you x."
The star has indeed had an impressive career, spanning reality TV, becoming a reporter on Extra - on of America's biggest entertainment shows, and now fulfilling his dream of playing pro football.
Most read in Showbiz
The Sun revealed earlier this month Mark had signed to the club for an undisclosed fee.
A club source explained: "Mark trained with Crawley all summer, and has been a hit with both players and management.
"He's got no airs and graces, and just got stuck in from the word go. He is now match fit, and has really found his stride - he's a great signing."
Mark played part-time, non-League football before joining Towie in 2010 and going on to greater fame in the I'm A Celebrity jungle the following year.