Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan, known for appearances on Celebrity Ex On The Beach and Celebs Go Dating, has decided to keep her future romances out of the public eye. The 35-year-old actress is convinced her next partner will be her soulmate and has shared her hopes of getting married soon.
Speaking Candidly About Love
In a frank conversation on Lewis Nicholls' Life Stories podcast, Helen discussed how her turbulent romantic history has not diminished her faith in finding true love. After splitting from ex-non-league footballer Robbie Talbot, 45, last year, she said: "I don't really date anyone. I find it quite difficult to meet people because I really want someone to love me for me. I am a romantic and know I will have my happy ever after. I do know I'm going to find my one."
Challenges of Dating in the Spotlight
The actress admitted that being recognized in public makes dating harder, as she seeks someone who values her beyond her celebrity status. She added: "I do feel when I have my next relationship, I think it will be my husband. I will choose to protect it and be more private. I will probably say who that person is but I will want to protect it and keep it really special. I feel like everybody always has something to say."
Reflecting on her past, she noted: "My ex-boyfriend was on Celebs Go Dating which was kind of iconic but I kind of just feel as well like I've learned a lot. I'm 35 and I've just learned like a lot. I feel like when I do actually find my one or my husband, you know, I really will have worked hard for my happiness."
Co-Parenting and Boundaries
In March, Helen stated she would never date a footballer again amid her feud with ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair. The former couple, who share three children—Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and son Charlie, four—have been successfully co-parenting since their 2022 split after a 13-year relationship. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she emphasized maintaining strict boundaries between her romantic life and her children: "I keep my love life like very separate, my children are so precious. It would take a lot for me to introduce anyone to my children, because they're that so precious, it would have to be really right and a very sensible male, yeah."
Not Shrinking Herself
Helen also opened up about refusing to diminish her personality for potential partners. "I feel like I've had to shrink myself sometimes," she said. "I think it's a really lovely feeling when you're with a man and you feel like I can really be myself here and they think I'm great, they think I'm really funny and I don't have to tone myself down." The mother of three explained she no longer tries to force chemistry, having learned that genuine connection is either there or not.
Past Relationships and Autobiography
In her autobiography Head & Heart, released earlier this year, Helen candidly discussed her feelings for David Haye, 45, revealing she fell 'deeply in love' with the former world champion despite challenges. They first met on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012 and had a short romance after her split from Scott. They reconnected at an awards event in autumn 2022 when David contacted her after seeing her Ann Summers lingerie campaign.
