Michelle Keegan is "always broody".

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright

The 'Our Girl' actress admits she and her husband Mark Wright both go through "phases" of wanting to have a baby but they are not planning to start a family just yet.

She said: "I'm always broody, but we're not planning anything.

"Both of us go through phases. I'm about to become an auntie again [to her stepbrother's child] so I'll get my baby fix when he or she is born next year."

The 29-year-old actress' decision to fly to South Africa to work on 'Our Girl' shortly after she and Mark tied the knot sparked speculation their marriage was in trouble, but Michelle insists she was doing the right thing.

She told Fabulous magazine: "But what's the alternative? That I don't take on the roles? That wouldn't happen."

Mark, 29, had offered to accompany his wife to South Africa, but she felt it was best to go out alone initially.

She said: "I said no. Him leaving me out there would have been awful. I just had to get on with it. I knew I had to go it alone."

The former 'Coronation Street' star's decision to leave her wedding ring and £20,000 engagement band behind when she flew out also raised eyebrows, but she insisted it was practical she didn't take it out with her for security reasons.

She explained: "I'm not going to wear the ring for the role and I don't go home to get the ring just to put it on for press purposes.

"I didn't go to South Africa with my ring, and that was a joint decision with Mark. It wasn't me saying, 'I don't want to wear it.' I'd rather keep it at home where I know it's safe.

"I've only been married for a year and a half. I'm working away, so why can't it be celebrated that we're newly married and have our separate careers, but are still really strong?

"Our marriage is going really well. We're happy. I don't want to constantly say: 'We're happy, we're fine,' because why validate it? If we're happy, we're happy. But the press don't see that, and that's the sad thing."