Mark Wright has announced he has fractured his back due to intensive training, a setback that will sideline him for approximately three months. The 39-year-old former star of "The Only Way Is Essex" (TOWIE) shared the news on his golf-focused Instagram page, detailing that he experienced a "pop" five weeks ago but initially attributed the persistent pain to muscular strain.
An ultrasound examination later revealed the severity of the injury. This incident follows a stress fracture to his right rib that Wright sustained just months prior. He is now scheduled for a CT scan to ascertain the full extent of the back fracture, which he described as "not looking good."
Wright explained that the back injury likely occurred around the same time as his rib fracture. "This has been going on since February," he stated, indicating he has been playing golf in pain for the past five weeks. He added, "If it's a deep fracture I could be 12 weeks. Absolutely gutted."
Reflecting on his recovery and fitness goals, Wright wrote that the double stress fracture has made his aim of achieving a 4.0 golf handicap by his 40th birthday in January seem unlikely. He acknowledged a pattern of returning to activity too soon after previous injuries. "I keep coming back too early," he admitted. He expressed hope that a couple more weeks of recovery would allow him to resume playing and work towards his goal before the January deadline, stating, "I cannot wait to be back out on the course."
Wright described golf as his primary release and a source of happiness, making the recovery period particularly challenging. He offered words of encouragement to others dealing with injuries.
The announcement was met with numerous supportive messages from fans wishing him a swift recovery and expressing confidence in his return to the sport. Several messages highlighted his determination as an athlete and his potential to come back stronger.
This health update comes shortly after Wright and his wife, actress Michelle Keegan, were seen on a rare date night. The couple, married since 2015, appeared happy together during the outing. Meanwhile, reports noted that Wright and Keegan's expansive estate in Essex, purchased in 2019 for £1.3 million, maintained lush grounds despite a recent hosepipe ban affecting water usage in the region due to dry weather. Water companies implemented the ban, prohibiting the use of hosepipes for watering gardens or washing vehicles, with potential exemptions or workarounds for property owners.