Two weeks after Michelle Keegan announced she's pregnant with her first child, her husband Mark Wright's ex-fiancé Lauren Goodger has issued an passionate statement.
Speaking to press, the former TOWIE star addressed speculation that she was left 'devastated' by the news, revealing that friends and family reached out to her when the happy couple's announcement was made.
Fool Me Once actress Michelle, 37, shared her pregnancy news on Instagram on 30 December, revealing she and husband Mark - who tied the knot in 2015 - are over the moon.
The sweet snap saw the pair standing on a beach while Michelle cradled her growing bump.
Advert
"2025 is going to be a special one for us," she captioned the photo.
After the news broke, rumours became rife that Mark's ex-partner Lauren Goodger had been left blindsided by her former flame's ex's exciting new parenting prospects - despite already being a mother herself.
Lauren welcomed a daughter, Larose, with now-ex Charles Drury in July 2021.
The pair also became pregnant with their second child in 2022, with the TOWIE favourite, 38, giving birth to another daughter, whom she named Lorena.
Advert
Tragically, however, the newborn died shortly after birth, after her umbilical cord became wrapped around her neck.
Today, Lauren shut down the online pity party regarding Mark and Michelle's latest news for good, releasing a statement she hoped would 'set the record straight'.
After one news outlet claimed she was 'devastated' by Michelle's pregnancy, she told Closer magazine this week: "Let's get things straight. I'm not anxious, upset, or planning to leave Essex, and it didn't ruin my Christmas!"
Advert
Lauren went on to confess: "I get it - people will always be fascinated because Mark and I were on TV together and I always seem to get dragged back into stories about him, but how can I be devastated?"
Lauren and Mark were high school sweethearts, having began dating in their teenage years before both being cast for TOWIE in 2010. In 2012, they called it a day.
Lauren now insists she's pleased for her ex, adding: "I'm so happy he's going to be a dad, and I mean it. I've fallen in love and had two kids since and he's a married man.
"It doesn't affect my life whether Mark is having a baby, I'm not obsessed with him, my life will carry on."
Advert
The mother-of-two went on to reveal she's been inundated with messages of support from her fans, friends and family since Mark and Michelle's news broke - though, she claims they needn't have been sent.
"I wish Mark and his family well and I'm sure Carol's [Mark's mum] over the moon, there's no bad feeling on my part," Lauren insisted.
"I'd never usually talk about him but it's unfair for me to sit quiet when assumptions are made about me."
Topics: Celebrity, Michelle Keegan, Reality TV, Towie, Pregnancy
Rhianna Benson