Mark Wright has come under fire after sharing what many called a “tone-deaf” Instagram post, on the same day as the devastating Air India plane crash that claimed hundreds of lives.

The former TOWIE star, 38, sparked backlash after posting a photo of himself with wife Michelle Keegan and their baby, Palma, posing beside a private jet. In the caption, he appeared to joke about flying economy, writing: “1 day babe, for now we’ll take row 26 with no extra leg room.”

But the post landed just hours after news broke of the horrifying air disaster and his followers were quick to slam the timing. One user wrote: “Prob not the best day to post this when so many people lost their lives on a plane.” Another person added: “Not really appropriate to put this up after today’s plane crash.” Someone else echoed the sentiment, commenting: “Poor taste given today’s event.” And a fourth follower simply said: “What a time to choose to post this.”

Mark, who is currently enjoying a holiday in Spain with Michelle, baby Palma and their extended family, swiftly deleted the post and issued a public apology, insisting it had been scheduled in advance.

In a statement shared on Instagram, he said: “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.

“It’s a horrendous coincidence that today’s post was on such a devastating day. Once I logged in to my Instagram and realised the post had gone out, I immediately deleted. My heart goes out to everyone who has been effected from today. I’m sorry for this mistake and any offence caused.”

Earlier on Thursday 12 June, tragedy struck when an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick burst into flames shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, with 242 people on board — including 53 British nationals.

Shocking footage showed a British man walking away from the burning wreckage, having miraculously survived by jumping from the aircraft. Emergency crews are still combing through the debris in search of more survivors but 204 bodies have been recovered so far.

Data from Flightradar revealed the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost contact just seconds after take-off, with the final signal recorded at 1:38pm local time — less than a minute into the flight.

Following the news King Charles III shared a heartfelt message. He wrote on social media: “My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning.” He described it as a “heartbreaking and traumatic time”, adding that he was sending “prayers and deepest possible sympathies” to all those affected.