Former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan has declared she is 'ready for love' in 2026, following a tumultuous public fallout with her ex-fiancé, footballer Scott Sinclair, at the end of last year. The 35-year-old mother-of-three is set to chart her quest for a new partner in an upcoming podcast, signalling a bold and positive new chapter.
A Fresh Start After a Public Feud
Helen Flanagan's 2025 ended on a rocky note after a very public spat with Scott Sinclair, 36, played out on social media. The conflict erupted in December when Sinclair chose to attend the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he saw Lando Norris win the title, instead of being present for their four-year-old son Charlie's Christmas nativity play.
An incensed Flanagan took to Instagram, sharing a screenshot of Scott's post from the event with the caption, "You really are a piece of s**t. How dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity." In contrast, she posted a loving picture with Charlie after his performance, calling him "my star, my heartbeat." The row reportedly led Helen to stop following Scott on social media.
Charting the Search for 'Mr Right'
A source close to the star reveals that Helen is now looking to the future with hope and determination. "Helen is definitely ready for love," the insider said. "She loves being with someone and wants to meet a new partner that she can really trust and depend on. She likes feeling like part of a team."
The source emphasised that any new man in Helen's life must also adore her three children – Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four – who remain her top priority. To document this new journey, the ex-Celebs Go Dating star will launch a podcast in the coming months. "She’s going to be very open about it," the source claims. "She’s feeling fearless right now, and won’t be holding back."
Moving On from Past Relationships
Helen and Scott Sinclair, a former Bristol Rovers player, were together for 13 years before their split in 2022. Their engagement, which took place at Disneyland Paris in May 2018, ultimately did not lead to marriage. The breakup has been far from amicable, with Helen previously describing their co-parenting arrangement as "really rubbish," citing the fact they live five hours apart and "don’t like each other very much."
Following that split, Flanagan dated former footballer Robbie Talbot after meeting on Celebs Go Dating in 2024. She initially praised him as a "lovely man" and a "great daddy" to his two daughters, calling his relationship with them a "huge green flag." However, the pair separated in the summer of 2025, with friends citing different life goals. Helen subsequently stated she was "done with men for the time being" to focus on her children and career.
Now, as the new year unfolds, her outlook has shifted. Alongside her podcast, Helen is also releasing a new book this month titled Head & Heart: Break-Ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie, which promises candid revelations about her career, motherhood, and personal life. The source suggests Scott may need to brace himself for some eye-opening disclosures, as Helen "feels immensely let down and wants the world to know."
With a new book, a podcast venture, and ambitions to revive her TV acting career, Helen Flanagan is juggling multiple projects while keeping her heart open. "There’s a lot to juggle but she’s prepared to do it," the source concluded. "She wants it all."
