Helen Flanagan has candidly discussed the profound confusion she experienced regarding her sexuality during her time on the reality television series Celebs Go Dating. The 35-year-old actress has revealed in her brand new autobiography, Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns And Being Rosie, that she openly shared her thoughts on the show but later requested producers to remove those intimate scenes from broadcast.
Panic Over Personal Revelations
In a deeply personal chapter, Flanagan writes about the intense panic that overwhelmed her while filming the show in 2024. She was consumed by worry that her mother would be disappointed or let down by her public discussion of her sexuality. The actress explained, 'The thought of this footage going out on national telly got me really depressed, like I’d massively let her down as a daughter.'
Thankfully, the production team demonstrated considerable understanding and sensitivity. They agreed to work closely with Flanagan to edit the footage, meticulously removing the sections where she opened up about her sexuality. This collaborative effort ensured her privacy was respected during a vulnerable moment.
Secret Boyfriend Scandal on the Show
Flanagan's stint on Celebs Go Dating was further complicated by another major revelation. She caused a significant stir among the cast and experts when she confessed to having a boyfriend 'back at home', thereby revealing a secret relationship with Robbie Talbot. This admission nearly led to her being removed from the series for wasting the time of the show's experts and her potential dates.
Love guru Paul Brunson expressed his frustration in a confessional, stating that Flanagan had not only wasted their time but also that of all her dates. He demanded the full truth, warning that if her explanation was unsatisfactory, it would be time for her to leave the agency. In response, Flanagan pleaded to remain in the agency, suggesting she might benefit from therapy for personal growth.
Post-Show Relationships and Further Revelations
Following her split from ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair in 2022, with whom she shares three children, Flanagan went on to date former non-league footballer Robbie Talbot. Their relationship became public but ultimately ended in May 2025, just one year after they officially confirmed their romance.
In her autobiography, Flanagan also lifts the lid on her involvement in a 'throuple' with former heavyweight boxer David Haye and Sian Osborne. The pair first met on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012 but did not reconnect until a chance meeting at an awards ceremony in autumn 2022. Their connection deepened after Haye reached out following a lingerie shoot Flanagan had done for Ann Summers.
Ongoing Personal Conflicts
These revelations come amidst other personal tensions. Flanagan has recently criticised Scott Sinclair for failing to attend their son's nativity play, despite her own Christmas spent apart from their three children. Furthermore, reports suggest that during her relationship with David Haye, Flanagan reportedly urged him to end his relationship with Sian Osborne to be with her exclusively.
A source indicated that Flanagan was deeply infatuated with Haye and desperately wanted him for herself, but he remained committed to Osborne, making a split impossible. These complex personal dynamics underscore the tumultuous period Flanagan details in her memoir, painting a picture of a public figure navigating intense private struggles under the spotlight of reality television and public scrutiny.
