'I have to keep pinching myself': Michelle Keegan wins best actress hours after announcing engagement


September 10, 2013

Michelle Keegan had already shared one of the most incredible moments of her life after announcing her engagement to boyfriend Mark Wright — and her day just kept getting better as she was awarded the 2013 TV Choice best soap actress award.Hours after the 26-year-old revealed that Mark had popped the question, she was named as the winner of the coveted trophy at a ceremony held at the Dorchester Hotel on Monday evening.

Although she was unable to attend the star-studded event because of work commitments, Michelle tweeted her delight after a whirlwind 24 hours. "Just finished work n got told that I won Best Soap Actress @ TVChoice awards! I'm absolutely over the moon!," she wrote. "THANKYOU so much to every1 who took the time out and voted for me. "This means so much. Thankyouuu! WOW what an amazing day! I have to keep pinching myself #solucky."

© Photo: Getty Images

Michelle confirmed on Monday that she and Mark Wright were engaged

The Coronation Street star, who has won sexiest actress at the British Soap Awards five years in a row, has confirmed she will be leaving the hit show at the end of the year, and told HELLO! it was a tough decision. "It was a huge decision to take and a very scary one, as you never know what you'll do afterwards. I will miss it, but after six years I know it's the right thing to do. "They are leaving the door open for me, which I am very grateful for. Who knows what will happen to (her character) Tina? You never know with a soap, but I'm sure it will be a dramatic exit. "On Monday morning, Michelle confirmed that her boyfriend Mark had proposed. The former TOWIE star went down on one knee on a beach during a romantic holiday in Dubai, the exact location where they got together nine months ago.

"THANK YOU for all the lovely messages, and yes it's true @markwright_ and I are engaged!! We are so SO happy :-) xxx," tweeted the bride-to-be.Michelle was said to have been taken completely by surprise by Mark's proposal. He presented his girlfriend with a sparkling ring — which he has designed himself and has been describing to friends as a "monster rock" — thought to be a five carat diamond.The happy couple fell for each other at a New Year's Eve party in Dubai. "We are really happy," Michelle said in June. "I'd met Mark before, but a group of us met up, and it was an amazing night. We went to a festival on the beach and to a club and stayed up all night. Was it a night that changed my life? Perhaps. "Since then, she has proven to be a big hit with Mark's family, including his sister Jess. "I absolutely love her," the TOWIE star told the Daily Star in August. "She fits in with the family really well. She's very down to earth. What you see is what you get. "Both have been engaged in the past. Michelle was due to wed Max George of The Wanted but called off the engagement in July 2012. Meanwhile Mark cancelled his plans to marry his former TOWIE girlfriend Lauren Goodger in August 2011.

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