There was a notable absentee at Mark Wright's lavish stag do in Las Vegas. A no-expense-spared, five-day extravaganza, the The Only Way is Essex star was joined by more than 15 of his friends and family members as he partied at some of Sin City's most exclusive hotels. That was back in 2015 and Mark was about to marry actress Michelle Keegan. I was dispatched to watch the group's boozy shenanigans and it immediately struck me as odd that one of his closest pals was missing – Jack Tweed, Big Brother star Jade Goody's widower (who appeared alongside Jade in Celebrity Big Brother in 2007). Jack's absence was significant. He and Mark, now 38, were the best of friends for several years. Before Jade's death at just 27 from cervical cancer in 2009, they would party together and even jetted off for a lads' ski trip in the French Alps in 2007. Following her passing, Mark acted as Jack's unofficial agent, brokering deals with the media. Mark, I can attest, seemed to revel in the fame that came with being friends with Jack who, during his relationship with Jade, would appear in the tabloids on an almost daily basis. So why, eight years later, as I watched Mark dive into a pool at the Drais Hotel on the Las Vegas strip in a skimpy pair of pink Speedos, was Jack out of the picture? A source familiar with both men says: 'After Jade died, Jack struggled and was no longer in the limelight. He was in bits, he got himself into some troubles and then he and Mark were hardly seen together again. 'He realised he was in danger of losing it all if he didn’t clean up his act. It was all very bizarre. By the time Mark went to Vegas, Jack was no longer in Mark's circle. It was like Mark was seeking new beginnings.' Perhaps Mark can be forgiven. Jack got an 18-month prison sentence for ABH in September 2008 after he attacked a 16-year-old boy with a golf club, but after four months he was let out on the condition her wore an electronic tag. Then he was handed another 12-week sentence for assaulting a taxi driver in March 2009, and he pleaded guilty to common assault outside Mark’s club Deuces in Chigwell in 2011. Those who know Mark point to the coincidental timing of him befriending Jack then finding fame on ITV's reality show The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), which began in 2010. It followed the lives of glamourous twentysomethings in Essex. They say he landed his role on TOWIE in the first place thanks in great part to the public profile he had created for himself as Jack's best pal. Mark, whose sister Jess also starred on the show, quickly became the standout star along with James 'Arg' Argent. James soon replaced Jack as Mark's best friend. The pair became a double act and were given hours of screen time together. They cashed in outside the show, too, with public appearances for which they were paid five-figure sums for less than an hour's work. With his profile growing in Britain and across the Atlantic thanks to his success on TOWIE, Mark jetted off to Hollywood. There he hosted showbusiness news show Extra alongside Saved By The Bell and Dancing With The Stars presenter Mario Lopez. Mark soon got used to his new, glitzy lifestyle and found some even more famous pals. 'Mark found a new bestie in Mario,' said a source close to the star. He partied with his co-star in Tinseltown and mingled with the Hollywood elite, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jackie Chan and Margot Robbie. 'Mark pulled off what nobody thought he could, he got a job in Hollywood,' said a friend of the star. 'Even [his wife-to-be] Michelle had tried to crack the States but that didn't work. The next thing Mark is hanging around with the A-list and, my, was he happy with himself. 'It's all very Meghan, who has also moved on from most of her old friends.' Indeed, Mark even befriended James Corden, ironically a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who was hosting The Late Late Show in Los Angeles at the time. They soon became firm friends and James, known as the King of Networking, gave Mark some tips on presenting a show in Hollywood. They were later seen enjoying a night out together at Venice Beach. 'Mark loved James,' said a friend.' Hanging out with him was a huge marker that he had left Essex behind him and he was living the very good life.' Then came along Piers Morgan. He and Mark were first introduced through their manager, the late John Ferriter. Mark became a regular guest at Piers' Beverly Hills mansion. Mark was also introduced to Gary Lineker, who spent a lot of time in Los Angeles, and the three would often enjoy nights out together. Even when Mark left Extra in 2018, he and Piers stayed in touch and back in Britain became 'Ascot buddies,' attending the races together along with Piers' former Good Morning Britain co-star Susanna Reid. 'Piers introduced Mark to LA life,' said a source. 'He very much got in with Piers and met loads of people, it was perfect for his contacts book.' But his most unlikely friendship must be the one he shares with Millie Bobby Brown, the Stranger Things and Enola Holmes actress 17 years his junior, who grew up in Bournemouth. They met when Millie appeared on Extra back in 2017 and became such firm friends that she and her family now holiday with Mark and Michelle. Mark has also taken the star to his favourite local restaurant, Sheesh, in Brentwood, Essex several times. 'Mark adores Millie', says a source. Even so, Mark's foray onto the Hollywood scene was short-lived – it lasted just under two years. In 2019 he returned home to be with Michelle, and quickly readjusted to Essex life. He and Michelle - who welcomed their first child, Palma, last month - bought their stunning dream mansion shortly after he came back to the UK. In doing so, Mark has come full circle. While he is not said to be back in touch with Jack - who is now an electrician - he and Arg have rekindled their friendship. Mark and Michelle regularly go on double dates with Arg and his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson. 'Arg missed Mark,' said a friend of his. 'He went through some difficult times while he and Mark weren't as close. 'Now Mark is back in Essex, he's like a big fish in a small pond. He is back with Arg and they enjoy reminiscing over the old days.' But will Mark ever rekindle his friendship with his old friend Jack Tweed, now working as an electrician? 'Never,' says my source. 'Mark is far too big-time for that now.