Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan are “ignoring the hate” after their attempts to spread some seasonal cheer backfired last week.

One follower described the couple’s festive home makeover – which includes a gigantic Christmas tree, garlands running up either side of their sweeping staircase and light-up outdoor reindeers – as “ostentatious”, while another blasted the pair for showing off their “gifted” decorations when “some people out there can’t even pay their electric bills”.

Sharing a video online and thanking Liverpool-based company 4 Seasons Events LTD online for their slice of “Christmas heaven”, Mark told his fans, “Christmas 2023 has begun.”

But in spite of the criticism, a source close to Mark and Michelle say that they’re “proud” of their £3.5 million mansion in Essex – and don’t see why they should hide the results of their success.

“They’re both very driven people and they work hard,” our source said. “That’s why they have the most beautiful home and they’re proud of it. They don’t care about the negative comments – they’ve learnt to ignore the hate.”

The pair have been happily married for eight years, but Mark, 36, and Michelle, also 36, have regularly had to defend their lifestyles, as well as their relationship.

In September, ex- TOWIE star Mark made a cheeky joke about him and Michelle getting a divorce as he and co-host Kimberley Walsh spoke to a family law specialist for a segment on BBC One’s Morning Live.

After Kimberley told viewers that September and January “are the most common months for couples to call it a day”, Mark said, “It’s the September/January thing that’s throwing it for me, I’m like come on October, come on October, I’m still safe.”

Some fans wondered if his comment spelled trouble for his marriage, but according to sources, divorce is the “last thing” on their minds. “What Mark said about the divorce was just a joke,” the source explained. “That’s just his sense of humour.

“The last thing they want is a divorce. They’re very much in love. When they’re together you can see how much they love each other and how happy they are with each other.

“But other people can’t quite understand it. Mark’s mum and dad are inseparable, but what Mark and Michelle have works for them – it’s just different.”

The couple married in May 2015 and two years later, Mark’s television career reached new heights when he became a presenter alongside actor Mario Lopez on the primetime US entertainment show Extra. The job saw him leave the UK and base himself in California for nearly three years.

Meanwhile, Michelle remained in Britain filming Brassic and also spent time in South Africa shooting the BBC drama Our Girl.

Last year, Essex native Mark vowed to spend more time at home and claimed he had turned down a lucrative offer of more remote work to stay with Michelle.

But that hasn’t stopped the couple being accused of living separate lives, and in June, Mark was forced to hit back at fans who continued to question their long-distance relationship.

“We spend plenty of quality time together and we’ve had plenty of weekends away,” he said. “We have got stuff booked up. We spend quality time together just like any other relationship and I’m not just saying that – we genuinely do.”

He added that he could spend two solid weeks with Michelle at home but “no one will know that because I’m not necessarily posting about it”.

Just one month earlier, it was reported that Stockport-born Michelle was struggling to adapt to living down south, causing a “rift” between the couple.

“They’re under scrutiny the whole time and sometimes feel they can’t do anything right,” our source continued. “If she goes away for work there’s speculation, or if they’re together there are comments about how rare it is that they’re spending time together.

“Yes, they spend a lot of time apart but Mark knew when he married Michelle that she wanted to work and had a career, and so does he. That’s just the nature of the industries they’re in.”

For now, the couple are focused on enjoying their second Christmas in the dream home they purchased back in 2019.

The mansion – which took longer to renovate than expected because of Covid-19 restrictions – features five bedrooms, a bespoke kitchen, bar, gym, cinema room, sauna and steam room, as well as an outdoor swimming pool.

“They’ve had a bit of a rough time with their house with the builders and everything, but it’s looking amazing now and they love it,” our source added. “They’re going to have a beautiful Christmas there and they’re really looking forward to spending more time there in 2024.”

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