Television presenter Mark Wright has revealed he fractured his back after training too hard and will be out of action for three months.
The 39-year-old former star of The Only Way Is Essex disclosed the injury on his dedicated golfing Instagram page this week, explaining that he felt a pop five weeks ago but initially assumed the pain was muscular.
An ultrasound scan later revealed that the injury was more severe than expected, marking his second major setback after suffering a stress fracture to his right rib earlier this year.
Speaking directly to the camera while standing in front of a CT scanner, Wright admitted that the situation is not looking good as he awaited detailed scan results to determine the full extent of the bone damage.
"You’ve probably been thinking, 'Where’s he been? Where’s the golf content?' Well, remember that stress fracture I had on my rib, on the right side, a couple of months back?" Wright said in the video.
"About five weeks ago I felt a pop, or a tear, in my back, and I just thought it was a muscular thing. But five weeks on, and it’s not better, so I went for an ultrasound scan last night, and it looks like I’ve got another fracture."
Severity of the back injury
Wright explained that he believes both rib injuries occurred at the same time during his intense training schedule, which has left him playing through continuous discomfort since February.
"I think I did them at the same time. This has been going on since February, by the way, so I’ve had five weeks of golf in pain, by the way," he said. "So, I’m here about to have a CT scan to see the results; it’s not looking good."
The presenter described 2026 as a devastating year caused by pushing his physical limits too quickly in an effort to improve his game.
"It’s been a devastating year, but that’s what you get, I suppose, for training - doing too much, trying to get down too quick," Wright added. "Next time, I need to manage my body, but I don’t know how long; if it’s a deep fracture I could be 12 weeks. Absolutely gutted."
Impact on golfing goals
In the caption accompanying his video post, Wright provided additional details on how the double stress fracture has disrupted his personal sporting ambitions.
He revealed that he has suffered two stress fractures across two different ribs, at both the front and back, since February, putting his goal of achieving a 4.0 handicap before turning 40 in January in serious doubt.
"2 stress fractures, 2 different ribs (front and back) since Feb. The chances of hitting 4.0 by the time I turn 40 in January, is now looking slim after having months out. I keep coming back too early," he wrote.
"I’m hoping in a couple of weeks when I’m back, that’s the end of it and I can push right through until Jan, to see how close I can get. I cannot wait to be back out on the course."
He added: "It’s been a tough time considering golf makes me very happy and is my real release. Anyone else struggling with injury’s right now, you’ve got this!! Hang on in there."
![Mark admitted he's been playing golf in pain for the past five weeks as he gave fans an upsetting health update [pictured last year]](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/08/14/14/110639667-16052731-Mark_admitted_he_s_been_playing_golf_in_pain_for_the_past_five_w-a-19_1786713981767.jpg)
Fan support and personal life
Followers and fellow golf enthusiasts quickly responded to Wright's update with supportive messages on social media, wishing him a full recovery.
One fan commented: "Ah mate that’s tough. But your an athlete and very driven you’ll be back up and smashing it again on the course." Another wrote: "Keeping my fingers crossed it's not too bad. XX"
A third supporter added: "Ahh that sucks ….you were smashing it but you will be back fighting fit again…Stronger and then be off scratch before you know it!" while another wished him well and hoped to see him back on the course in the autumn.
The news comes just weeks after Wright enjoyed a date night with his wife, actress Michelle Keegan, 39, who starred on Netflix and married the presenter in 2015.
The couple cosied up during their evening out, with Keegan wearing a simple white top with her dark hair styled in loose waves and Wright wearing a grey T-shirt. Keegan later posted online: "Can we go again next weekend @wrighty?"
Essex property and water ban
Meanwhile, amid a recent heatwave, the sprawling grounds surrounding the couple's £1.3 million Essex mansion have remained vibrant and green despite a local hosepipe ban introduced at the start of August.
Their water supplier, Essex and Suffolk Water, enacted a temporary ban following months of dry weather and falling water reserves, joining eight other water suppliers across the country in prohibiting hosepipe usage for gardens, vehicles, and outdoor cleaning.
The couple purchased the property in 2019 and extensively renovated it into a five-bedroom mansion complete with landscaped grounds and an outdoor swimming pool featuring an Ibiza-style layout.
There is no indication that Wright or Keegan have breached the ban, as property owners can maintain gardens using alternative methods such as watering cans, or may hold specific exemptions.
