WHAT ABOUT TOWIE?
Mark Wright hailed ‘a soccer hero who scored for England’ and ‘international DJ’ in bizarre trailer for new US job that fails to mention reality show roots
MARK Wright's well known in the UK for kickstarting his career on Towie - but over in the States he been hailed as a 'soccer hero', 'in-demand cover model' and 'one of the UK's biggest stars' in a gushing introduction to American viewers.
The 30-year-old was also lauded as a 'globetrotting international DJ' and 'ninja warrior who swims with sharks' in a bizarre trailer for his new co-hosting job on American showbiz programme Extra.
23
23
Mysteriously, while Mark's stint on Strictly Come Dancing and even his yogurt adverts were mentioned in the clip, there was absolutely zero reference to Mark's reality show origins in Essex.
Narrated by Extra frontman Mario Lopez, best known for playing AC Slater in Saved By The Bell, the effusive advert declares: "This season, Extra is bringing in a British import with three million Twitter followers and more than one million followers on Instagram."
"Mark's one of the biggest stars in the UK," enthuses Mario.
"When he isn't globetrotting as an international DJ, Mark gets hearts racing as an in-demand cover-model, starring in commercials for everything from sports apparel to yogurt - bet he sold a lot of yogurt."
As footage of Mark playing at Soccer Aid 2016 rolled on screen, Mario said: "Mark is even a soccer hero, scoring this epic goal for England in an international charity tournament."
23
23
23
The ebullient trailer goes on to describe Mark as a "ninja warrior and thriller seeker" and notes: "He boxes, he dances - both of us competed on Dancing with the Stars - and he swims with sharks."
It also bigs up his friendship with another UK export, James Corden, who describes Mark as "the man" at one point.
23
23
But among all that effervescent praise there was no room for any mention of Towie - the reality show that made Mark famous - his stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (although a brief shot of him being parachuted into the jungle played out of context) or of his marriage to Michelle Keegan.
HE'S ALL WRIGHT From his early life as a footballer to multi-million pound reality star - get the FULL lowdown on Mark Wright
Some of Mark's fans took to Instagram to note the absence of The Only Way Is Essex, and suggest it's a sign of just how far Mark's come since quitting the fly-on-the-wall series after three seasons.
One wrote: "I love how Towie wasn't mentioned!"
Another said: "Also was on Only Way Is Essex. Don't be fooled Americans."
A third added: "They forgot Towie!"
And a fourth said: "That boy from Towie has come a long way."
23
23
23
Others suggested the video may have been "exaggerated" but it didn't matter, with one fan gushing: "Love how the Americans over exaggerate him but whatever coz he's a dream!! (sic)."
Another said: "Let's get this straight. has just voiced an intro reel for you. This is absolutely ridiculous. What. A. Bosser."
A third said: "Well done Mark! You seem like a really nice guy, you deserve the success!"
And a fourth quipped: "No pressure with that intro fella!"
23
23
23
23
Mark found fame on The Only Way Is Essex before quitting in 2011, although he has made a handful of cameo appearances since then.
He went on to finish runner-up on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! that same year, before landing a presenting role on Take Me Out: The Gossip.
A short-lived reality show called Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights followed, and another called Party Wright Around The World.
He finished in fourth place on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
Other work has included a hosting role on CBBC's The Dengineers, appearance in E! TV drama The Royals, and his own Heart Radio show.
He's also enjoyed a DJ residency at BH Mallorca, collaborated on a Littlewoods fashion campaign, and been the face of Oykos yogurt.
23
23
23
23
In 2016, Mark took part in the Soccer Aid football match for UNICEF at Manchester United's Old Trafford football ground, scoring a goal and winning Man of the Match.
Other stars who took part in the UK team included Olly Murs, Louis Tomlinson, Marvin Humes and McFly's Danny Jones.
23
23
Mark landed the plummy US TV job in August, and jetted over to LA this week to start work on the Extra set.
"I feel so honoured to be given a job on such a massive show in America, interviewing the biggest stars in the world, and working alongside Mario Lopez who I watched and loved growing up," she said.
"Lisa G, the boss at Extra, didn't know me before meeting her. I asked for a meeting, and she believed in me from seeing my showreel.
"She gave me a chance by allowing me to interview Mariah Carey and from that she has now given me this amazing opportunity to work on the show full time. It's all a bit surreal.
"The UK will always be my home, but right now America is the path that has opened up for me, and I have to follow that."
23
23
Mark's had to leave wife Michelle back in the UK as she's filming BBC army drama Our Girl, but The Sun Online exclusively revealed yesterday that she will join Mark in America later this year after she wraps filming.
A source close to the couple said: “Once Michelle has finished filming Our Girl at Christmas she’s flying out to America to join Mark.
“She hasn't committed to any big projects after that to make sure she can stay for as long as she likes - she isn't 'moving there' per se but they will split their time equally between here and LA and she will jet back and forth as much as possible.
“The next few months will be tough as they’ll be apart again but they’ve got a strong marriage and know they will make it work.”
Michelle said overnight she was "so proud"; of her husband breaking the US TV market, as she shared a photo of him on his first day on set.
23
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220
Topics