The ongoing feud between former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and her ex-partner, footballer Scott Sinclair, has reached a new low, with the actress reportedly being forced out of their shared family home. Experts warn the situation "could get more heated" without professional intervention.
A House at the Heart of the Conflict
Flanagan, 35, famed for playing Rosie Webster on the ITV soap, currently lives with the couple's three children in a lavish six-bedroom property in Belmont, near Bolton. The pair split in 2022 after 13 years together. Despite never marrying, the house is legally in Sinclair's name.
Sources indicate Sinclair is keen for Flanagan to downsize, arguing the large home is unsustainable. He has reportedly even offered to buy her a four-bedroom property in her name. However, Flanagan is "digging her heels in," reluctant to uproot the children—Matilda, ten, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four—from their school and the stability the home provides. She also values living close to her parents for support.
The house was initially listed for £1.5 million last year before being reduced to £995,000. A source claimed Sinclair wants to sell to "take the money out," while Flanagan believes she added value to the property during their relationship.
Communication Breakdown and Public Spats
The relationship has deteriorated to the point where the former couple are no longer on speaking terms, communicating only through relatives. This breakdown was publicly highlighted over Christmas when Flanagan blasted Sinclair on social media for missing their son's nativity play to attend the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Psychotherapist Marygrace Anderson, founder of MG Hypnosis, analysed the situation for The Mirror. She stated the reliance on grandparents for communication shows how strained things are, warning this dynamic risks becoming "the new normal."
"The current conflict around the house is likely about far more than the property itself," Anderson explained. "For Helen, the home may represent stability... From Scott’s perspective, the house may feel financially unsustainable."
Expert Warns of Escalating Tension
Anderson cautioned that without therapy to establish direct communication, disputes could worsen and spill further into the public eye. She noted that public outbursts are often a sign of feeling "unheard" rather than a desire to escalate conflict.
"When a long-term relationship breaks down, particularly one involving young children, nervous systems can remain in a heightened state for a long time," Anderson said. "That often makes practical matters, such as housing and finances, feel far more emotionally charged."
She recommended individual therapy focusing on emotional regulation to help both parties manage stress during this period of instability. Anderson emphasised that while their romantic relationship is over, their co-parenting relationship will continue for life, making amicable resolution crucial for the children's wellbeing.
The Mirror has approached representatives for both Scott Sinclair and Helen Flanagan for comment.
