Mark Wright has opened up about the adorable reason behind his and Michelle Keegan’s choice for their baby daughter’s name, Palma, during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Friday.
The well-known TV and radio presenter and his actress wife, who have been married since 2015, embraced parenthood with the arrival of their daughter, Palma Elizabeth Wright, born on March 6. The couple announced the birth on March 12, sharing a touching photo of them holding their newborn’s tiny hand.
Contrary to popular belief that the name was inspired by their love for the sunny city of Palma in Majorca, Mark clarified the true reason behind it. Speaking to hosts Dermot O’Leary and Sian Welby, he said: “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.”
Appearing on the sofa alongside fellow new dad Olly Murs, who is also his colleague at Heart FM, Mark couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about being a father, saying it was “the best thing” and describing his baby girl as “amazing”.
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,” reports Wales Online.
Mark has been soaking up parenting advice from both Olly, whose daughter Maddy is nearly one years old, and even the pop sensation Ed Sheeran has been dishing out some tips.
Mark said: “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!’”
Mark recently shared an adorable moment with listeners when he took Palma to the 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 Palma’s arrival, Mark opened up about his nerves around becoming a dad for the first time.
The TV star made an appearance on BBC’s The One Show in February to talk about his new home improvement series with hosts Roman Kemp and Lauren Laverne, where the conversation quickly turned to his exciting baby news.
During the interview, Lauren couldn’t help but pause to offer her warmest congratulations to Mark on his upcoming new chapter. She excitedly shared: “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.”
Mark couldn’t hide his joy as he replied: “Thank you very much. Very exciting times ahead, a little bit nerve-wracking but I’m ready. I’m excited!”
