Michelle Keegan has said she intends to hold onto her Northern roots after moving to Essex to live with fiance Mark Wright.

The former Coronation Street actress told Star magazine she is settling in well to her new home with the TV presenter and former The Only Way Is Essex star, but she has no plans to change.

Michelle said: "I'll still see a lot of my friends and family from Manchester, so I don't think I'll change my style - or anything else. I'll be taking my mum shopping in Essex, though."

Speaking about moving in with Mark, the 27-year-old actress revealed: "We're really happy. It's been planned for a long time so I'm really excited.

"We have most of it sorted now. We're just waiting on a few bits to come, then it's ready.

"It's very neutral and modern and the living room has all glass furniture. We both decided on it and it looks beautiful."

And as for housework, Michelle insisted: "It will be 50/50. Mark is quite tidy, which is lucky!

"And I love cooking, so I'll be throwing dinner parties."