IT was her dream home when they first moved in.
But it seems what was a peaceful sanctuary for is now anything but, as the £3.5 million mansion she shares with husband has turned into a haunting reminder of past trauma.
Michelle Keegan is said to have “fallen out of love” with the £3.5 million mansion she and husband Mark Wright call homeCredit: instagram
The sprawling Essex property was targeted by masked robbers in February
And since then Michelle is said to have taken a further step back from sharing her private life publiclyCredit: Alamy
A source close to Michelle said she’s told Mark “in no uncertain terms” that daughter Palma’s face should never appear on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @wrighty_
In any posts they share with the baby in, her face is always hidden from sightCredit: Instagram
The mother-of-one, who was heavily pregnant with daughter at the time, and Mark were forced to lock themselves in a bedroom in the sprawling when back in February this year.
And the lasting impact of the terrifying situation means Michelle prefers to spend her time elsewhere these days, although a source close to the actress said she’s “trying really hard to fall in love with being there again”.
“It’s such a shame because it was her ,” the insider added.
Since the robbery, Michelle has made a concerted effort to “retreat back to a more private life and keep things off “, and is “living a very private life for the very first time since she met Mark”.
“It’s the only way she can feel safe again, she knows they took things too far, they’ve flaunted too much,” the source continued.
Not only that, but the couple’s wealth apparently “sparked jealousy with the wrong people”.
So in the weeks and months Michelle and Mark have found themselves “laughed at” and “mocked” by mums who live near them in .
“It’s really cruel, but in their eyes they were quick to flaunt their wealth, so of course they were going to become a target,” the insider said.
Due to the backlash, Michelle is now said to be “keeping her distance” from the mums, as well as other TOWIE stars and “jealous Essex wives”.
“She’s not an influencer, she doesn’t need to overshare and do what they do,” the source explained.
Michelle is now committed to focusing on her family, friends and career instead.
While Mark first made a name for himself on , Michelle has always considered herself a “serious actress” – the opposite of a “Z-list TOWIE star flaunting every cough and spit of her life because she’s desperate for fame or brand deals”.
And she’s also “made it very clear” to Mark, who she married in 2015, that they need to “re-focus on their careers and take things seriously”.
Her desire for privacy has become even more prevalent following the birth of her daughter, Palma, in March.
Michelle has always kept her daughter off social media as much as possible, and apparently told Mark “in no uncertain terms” that Palma should NEVER feature in pictures they post on Instagram.
And, because of the robbery, she’s also keen to keep pictures of the inside of their home off too.
Michelle has apparently told Mark that she wants to focus more on her career, which is going from strength to strength with roles in shows such as Fool Me OnceCredit: Netflix
She’s also been scouted by Reese Witherspoon to star in the book adaptation of Gone Before GoodbyeCredit: Instagram/michkeegan
Michelle also graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this yearCredit: AFP
As her career flourishes, Michelle is said to want to take a step back from the TOWIE life that made Mark famous in the first place (seen here with TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent)Credit: Instagram
“She feels like they’ve clearly taken things too far already and she’s now keen to roll that back, take back control and take it down a notch,” the source added.
Michelle has been looking to stars such as , and – who she “absolutely adores” – for inspiration as to how she can keep her home and family life private.
“She knows less is more,” the insider commented.
“She loves Jennifer Aniston and how she is on Instagram, but everything is on her terms.
They are having to evolve as both a couple and individuals, but they both know they’ve made the right decisions for their family
Source close to Michelle Keegan
“Michelle likes that – these days she doesn’t post much, it’s never in real time, and she certainly isn’t showing off what she’s got or boasting about what she’s up to.
“She sees how they are hugely successful and respected in their careers and life without ever showing fans their private lives, and she wants that.”
She’s also looking set for success, after to star in the big screen adaptation of her and Harlan Coben’s book Gone Before Goodbye.
Michelle has also apparently adopted supermodel Kate’s “never complain and never explain” motto, so she isn’t doing any or offering any comments about her private life or baby Palma.
However, Michelle’s desire to rein back how much they share with fans is said to have left Mark “very disappointed”.
After growing up on reality TV, living a public life is “second nature” to him.
The source laughed: “I think, if Mark had his way, they would have had a Kardashian-style family reality show and Palma would have had her own fashion line and Hello! magazine cover shoot by now.”
So his wife’s stipulations are likely to have left him “feeling slightly lost” as he tries to work out “how to move forward with it all”.
However, as he’s completely “devoted” to his spouse, he is reportedly keen to abide by the rules and will do what it takes to ensure Michelle feels happy and safe once again in their home.
“They are having to evolve as both a couple and individuals, but they both know they have made the right decisions for their family,” the insider concluded.
“It’s come as a shock to the rest of the Wright family, who don’t know the meaning of the word private, but they adore Michelle so much they will do whatever she says.”
Mark and Michelle – who was heavily pregnant at the time – had to lock themselves in a bedroom as their home was robbed in FebruaryCredit: Instagram
And now Michelle is keen to adopt a more private approach when it comes to her homeCredit: Instagram
Her decision is said to have “come as a shock” to Mark’s family – many of whom also found fame on TOWIECredit: Instagram 
