Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has opened up about discussing her sexuality on Celebs Go Dating in her new autobiography Head & Heart, but the scenes were cut
Helen Flanagan said she opened up about her sexuality during filming for Celebs Go Dating
Helen Flanagan has disclosed that she discussed her sexuality whilst filming Celebs Go Dating, but the footage was edited out to spare her mother’s feelings.
The 35 year old actress took part in Celebs Go Dating in 2024, though it subsequently came to light that she was already involved with her now ex-partner Robbie Talbot during filming.
In her newly released autobiography Head & Heart, published by Mirror Books, the former Coronation Street star revealed she addressed the “confusion I was feeling around my sexuality” on the programme. Helen described how she became anxious after recording scenes about her sexuality, fearing her mum would feel disappointed if the content was broadcast.
Helen had a partner, Robbie, during her filming Celebs Go Dating(Image: hjgflanagan/Instagram)
She wrote: “The thought of this footage going out on national telly got me really depressed, like I’d massively let her down as a daughter.” However, Helen explained that she had conversations with the Celebs Go Dating production team, who agreed to cut the segments that concerned her.
Helen continued: “Thankfully, the producers at the show were understanding and they agreed to edit those scenes alongside me, something they did with great care, removing the parts completely where I opened up about my sexuality.” The Mirror has contacted Celebs Go Dating for comment.
The actress hasn’t explicitly detailed her sexuality to this day but she was previously engaged to footballer Scott Sinclair for 13 years before they split in 2022 after welcoming three children together. Helen also enjoyed a short-lived relationship with boxer David Haye, 45, who practices polyamory, three years back, but she firmly dismissed speculation about “throuple” involvement.
In her new autobiography, Helen has also disclosed details of a falling-out with former Coronation Street colleague Ryan Thomas. She went as far as claiming she told him to “f*** off” during a heated exchange on the ITV set, before eventually leaving the soap.
Helen further suggested Ryan displayed “unprofessional” behaviour on the programme, alleging he “never knew his lines”. Ryan wasn’t the only Coronation Street cast member Helen says she had difficulties with whilst working on the soap.
But she admitted that their ‘feud’ has lessened in recent years – and that she’s since connected with the star and his brothers when they bumped into each other at various showbiz events. Helen wrote: “Over the years since, however, we’ve moved in similar circles and become quite good friends and I’ve got a lot of time for Ryan and his brothers, Adam and Scott.
Her and Ryan’s characters dated from 2011 to 2012, meaning the pair worked closely on set throughout that time. Helen quit the cobbles after her character split from Jason, to pursue her dream of becoming a model in London.
But her spat with her co-star isn’t the only bombshell Helen dropped in her explosive book. She also revealed that she and co-star Brooke Vincent ended up dating the same Man City footballer during her time on the soap.
She confessed that she once had a brief fling with player Reece Wabara before he went on to date Brooke, and wrote in her book: “I went out a few times with a Manchester City youth player called Reece Wabara who – and this is too funny – Brooke later ended up going out with.
Helen Flanagan as Rosie in Coronation Street with Ryan Thomas as Jason(Image: Rex)
“We were never serious and I didn’t sleep with him but there was one night he took me back to his lodgings after we’d been out in Manchester and his furious landlady kicked me out. ‘Er, you’re not going upstairs young lady,’ she said. “Dead! Reece was gorgeous but it fizzled out as quickly as it had started and I think he was a bit of a ladies’ man anyway,” she wrote.
She also levelled accusations at Antony Cotton, claiming he made jokes about her taking medication for anxiety. Helen alleged the actor quipped that you can “hear her rattling before you see her” – a comment which reportedly left her in tears.
Helen’s book, Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie, is out today.
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