**Mark Wright Issues Apology for Ill-Timed Instagram Post Following Air India Crash**
Television personality Mark Wright has issued a public apology after coming under fire for sharing an Instagram post deemed “in poor taste” in the wake of a catastrophic Air India plane crash. The post, which featured Wright, his wife Michelle Keegan, and their infant daughter in front of a private jet, was widely criticised due to its timing, coinciding with international reports detailing the tragic accident, which claimed the lives of nearly all passengers and crew.
Wright, 38, took swift action to remove the post, explaining to his social media followers that it had been scheduled in advance, and that its appearance following such a tragedy was an unfortunate coincidence. Describing the situation as a “horrendous coincidence,” he addressed the matter on his Instagram story, acknowledging the upset caused and expressing remorse.
The former *TOWIE* star, who had been sharing moments of his family’s first overseas holiday with their three-month-old daughter Palma in Spain, clarified that their return to Britain coincided with the aftermath of the disaster. The original post included light-hearted commentary about the lack of leg room on commercial flights compared to private air travel, which many followers interpreted as being insensitive, given the circumstances surrounding the Air India crash.
The crash, which unfolded shortly after the Air India flight departed from Ahmedabad en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, has left only one survivor among passengers and crew. Given the enormity of the tragedy, public sentiment was raw, and Wright’s post was quickly deemed inappropriate by many who follow UK showbiz figures online. Some users left critical comments, highlighting the apparent insensitivity of posting about travel comfort so soon after a major aviation disaster.
In his response to the growing backlash, Wright reiterated that the post had been set to publish days prior, without knowledge of the impending tragedy. “I apologise for a post I just put up on my page after today’s heartbreaking events. I have posts from a holiday that are on the scheduled setting, which go out on future days I have set them for, which was done last week,” he wrote.
He went on to stress that he removed the post as soon as he became aware of the Air India crash and realised its context. “It’s a horrendous coincidence that today’s post was on such a devastating day. Once I logged into my Instagram and realised the post had gone out, I immediately deleted it,” he added.
Wright’s statement included an expression of sympathy for those affected by the tragedy: “My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected from today. I’m sorry for this mistake and any offence caused.” His words were an attempt to temper the disappointment voiced by both fans and the broader public.
Additional reports suggested that the controversial post included a caption joking about being situated in “row 26 with no extra leg room.” This particular quip, seemingly in jest, was pointed out by some social media users as being “not really appropriate to put up after today’s plane crash,” underscoring the heightened sensitivity surrounding public discussions of air travel following the disaster.
Moments such as this serve to highlight the challenges that arise from pre-scheduled social media posts, especially in an era where global tragedies unfold with little warning. High-profile individuals and celebrities are often reminded that their online presence and timing can have a significant impact, particularly in the immediate aftermath of significant news events.
Wright’s experience may stand as a cautionary tale for other personalities, urging greater vigilance when it comes to automated social media activity, especially during moments of collective grief or national mourning. As the investigation into the Air India tragedy continues, public attention has not only been fixed on the eyewitness accounts and official statements but also on the wider conversation around sensitivity and social responsibility in the digital age.