Loose Women panelist Carol McGiffin has hit out at Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan for posting a video of the huge and lavish Christmas lights on their Essex mansion

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright showed off their Christmas decorations

As December kicks off, many are considering decking their halls with Christmas lights. Rylan Clark has already showcased his impressive outdoor display, and celeb couple Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright weren’t far behind, sharing a video of their dazzling Essex mansion.

However, Loose Women star Carol McGiffin isn’t impressed. She admits that while a flashy set of Christmas lights might seem “magical” to kids, it appears to be “the preference of people with more money than sense.”

In her column for Best magazine, she notes that some even hire professional lighting companies, with celebs often getting discounted or free services in return for an Instagram plug.

Mark showed off the couple’s elaborate Christmas decorations(Image: (Image: Instagram/Mark Wright))

“Last week,” Carol points out, “Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright posted their perfectly lit-up Essex mansion – as if any of their followers would think, ‘oh that’s a great idea, let’s spend next month’s mortgage payment on this company to decorate our house! ‘”

The tradition of exterior Christmas lights started in the USA in the early 20th century, but even after a hundred years, there’s still resistance. In Jane Austen’s former home village of Chawton in Hampshire, a Christmas lights controversy is currently brewing.

Carol revealed that a local resident had written to the parish magazine, objecting to some houses in Chawton being decorated with brightly-coloured festive lights. They suggested that only white lights should be permitted, reports the Express.

Carol McGiffin said that external lights were a bit ‘OTT’(Image: (Image: ITV))

However, Carol says this complaint “backfired brilliantly when a entire close covered their houses in multi-coloured flashing lights.”

The tradition of outdoor Christmas lights began in the US, where celebrities have taken the illumination craze to new heights. Hollywood star Jamie Foxx is infamous for his extravagant Christmas lights.

The Django Unchained actor didn’t hold back on his lavish decorations, which included strings of lights leading down into the garden – where it seemed much of the ground had been replaced with a red carpet. If his flashy display wasn’t bright enough already, the pillars of his front door were transformed into giant candy canes, and snowflakes adorned the top of the property.

It comes after Mark was rushed to hospital in Las Vegas after suffering a head wound.

Insisting that he “wasn’t drunk” and that he’s “absolutely fine”, the TOWIE star, 37, told fans about the bad fall while on the trip. Updating his Instagram followers from his first class seat on the flight home to London, Mark recalled what happened.

In a video posted to his Stories, he said: “Another year done. F1 in Vegas. What an experience. I’m coming home with a little scar. For those that are asking on my Instagram, I fell in the bathroom. I wasn’t drunk. It was in the middle of the night, half asleep. Needed a few stitches but I’m all good, absolutely fine.”

Mark, who was enjoying the racing in America, had large scar across his forehead. He went on to share his excitement about reuniting with his wife and thanked his friends in Vegas for their hospitality.