Michelle Keegan will spend 8 months away from hubby Mark Wright while filming third series of Our Girl as the pair continue to deny marriage problems
The former Corrie star has told pals she is looking for a pad in Cape Town as she doesn't want to be stuck in hotels like she was during the last series
ACTRESS Michelle Keegan is house hunting in South Africa as she prepares to spend an incredible EIGHT MONTHS away from husband Mark Wright, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The former Coronation Street star has told friends that she is on the look out for a luxury apartment in Cape Town as she plans to spend most of 2017 in the city.
Michelle, 29, will jet off in March to start filming the third series of the Our Girl war drama – and does not expect to be back in Britain until November.
This means she could miss the second anniversary of her May 24 wedding to reality star Mark, placing a huge strain on a marriage that has already been tested to the limits.
A source said: “Michelle has asked her friends in Cape Town to start looking for a modern, airy flat in the Sea Point, Clifton or Camps Bay areas of Cape Town.
“The producers have warned that filming could take as long as eight months so she doesn’t want to be stuck in hotels like she was during the second series.
“But Michelle is looking forward to getting started. She gets on really well with the crew and has become one of the lads onset, so being away from home for so long shouldn’t be a huge deal.
“Mark comes to visit occasionally but Michelle tends to get so immersed in her character and the filming that I think she’s happy to be left alone for the most part.”
Michelle’s 18 month marriage to The Only Way is Essex star Mark, also 29, has already been put under severe strain.
But Michelle was also forced to address rumours that they came close to splitting this year as they led increasingly separate lives.
The star spent much of 2016 in South Africa and other locations filming the five episode, second series of BBC British army drama Our Girl, in which she plays medic Cpl Georgie Lane.
The third series, which has 10 episodes, is expected to take even longer to complete, meaning that next year could be twice as hard on their relationship.
The actress did not help matters by being spotted out without her wedding ring in recent months and developing a friendship with hunky co-star Luke Pasqualino, 26, who plays her love interest Elvis Harte.
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Hubby Mark, meanwhile, was photographed with his mates and scantily clad women at various party resorts including Las Vegas, where he enjoyed a lads holiday in June.
Michelle said this week: “I find the speculation frustrating. Yeah, I did get married, but I can work as well.”
Her spokesman said: “Michelle will be filming Our Girl, but details for next year have not yet been finalised.”