Helen Flanagan, known for her love of luxury and glamour, famously confessed during her 2012 I’m A Celebrity stint that she indulged in spray tans and blow dries “every few days”, without a second thought. However, it appears the former Coronation Street star’s life has taken a dramatic turn since those carefree days over a decade ago.
The 34 year old actress finds herself at a pivotal point in both her personal and professional life, with sources revealing to new magazine that she is eager to return to acting. Helen first shot to fame as Rosie Webster on Corrie in 2000, left in 2012, and then made a comeback in 2017, reprising her role for another year.
“Helen really, really wants to get back into acting. She knows it’s what she does best,” an insider reveals. “But it’s challenging with the kids being so young, and Scott often away due to football commitments. Although he’s a dedicated dad, he’s not around daily. It’s a lot, having three young children and trying to revive your career.”
While there have been discussions about a potential comeback, Helen is reportedly finding it difficult to balance work offers with the responsibilities of being a single mum to her three children, Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, four, following her split from fiancé Scott Sinclair in 2022.
According to an insider, Helen has her mum’s support with childcare, but it’s still a daily juggling act. With Coronation Street on hold, Helen faces other challenges, including putting the £4 million family home she once shared with ex-partner Scott on the market, a process she described as “heartbreaking”.
The emotional toll is exacerbated by downsizing. Her boyfriend, Robbie Talbot, has moved out, a decision Helen said was best for her kids, who are still dealing with their parents’ breakup. Helen had hoped living with Robbie would strengthen their bond, but now feels devastated by the outcome.
“I’d asked him to stay for a while, because I often get quite scared in the house on my own and feel safer with a man there,” Helen revealed. She added, “But Matilda is very sensitive and a proper daddy’s girl, and she struggles with not seeing Scott as often as she’d like. I always think about how she feels when she misses her dad, and having my boyfriend there maybe doesn’t help her.”
The source claims financial worries are affecting Helen’s daily life. “Helen is going through it financially. Everyone thinks that being with a footballer means you’ll be well looked after, but that’s not necessarily the case,” an insider revealed. “She knows she needs to get back to work and is struggling to live a less glamorous life than she’s used to.”
Helen was once living the high life, jetting off on luxurious holidays, residing in plush homes and indulging in designer shopping sprees. However, adjusting to a more modest lifestyle hasn’t been a walk in the park, although Helen has admitted that a smaller home “will be more manageable” for her.
As she gears up to return to acting, there are whispers that Strictly Come Dancing could be on her radar next, as she’s eager to reboot her career in a more serious manner and shed the “reality star” label. She once confessed, “I would like to learn a new skill, so Strictly would be good – but I can’t dance at all.”
Speculation has also reignited about whether Helen might rethink her position on OnlyFans – which she previously told OK! she wouldn’t opt for, stating, “I’m not judgemental at all, I just don’t think OnlyFans is for me. A friend suggested it to me too, but I just don’t really fancy it.”
Her friend Kerry Katona, who has openly admitted to making “millions” on the subscription-only platform, says she’d endorse it to Helen too. “I’ve told her before that she should get on OnlyFans. It’s a great way of making money and no different to posting sexy pics on Instagram,” Kerry suggests.
It’s been a challenging year for Helen. After dealing with heartbreak, single parenting, career instability and a court appearance in January over speeding charges that resulted in a six-month driving ban and a substantial fine, it wouldn’t be surprising if she’s longing for some stability and a new beginning. As she looks ahead, insiders reveal Helen is exploring potential next steps in her career while continuing to be a dedicated mum.