Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has publicly declared her interest in making a dramatic return to the iconic cobbles, seven years after her last appearance on the ITV soap.
Convenient Comeback for a Busy Mum
The actress, now 35, first joined the cast as Rosie Webster back in 2000 and remained a fixture on the street until 2012. She later reprised the role for a year in 2017. Flanagan, who still lives close to the show's Salford, Manchester-based set, explained that a return would be logistically perfect as she co-parents her three young children with ex-partner Scott Sinclair.
In a candid interview, she revealed her eagerness, stating: "I’d love to go back to Coronation Street, but they just haven’t asked me and I live around the corner." She reiterated her position, telling The Sun: "I’d love to, if they asked me. I’d come back, but they obviously haven't."
Storyline Ideas and Fan Speculation
Flanagan has not only expressed her desire to return but has also brainstormed potential plotlines for her character. She suggested Rosie could come back as a single mother who dumps her kids with her on-screen mum, Sally, to take on a classic role behind the bar of The Rovers Return.
Earlier this year, she fuelled rumours of a comeback by sharing a nostalgic throwback photo on Instagram of a young Rosie with the legendary Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Tanner. The actress captioned the post fondly, noting she was the same age her daughter Matilda is now.
A Character's Journey and Future Potential
Helen Flanagan initially left the soap in 2012 when her character secured a modelling contract and moved to London. Her most recent exit in 2018 was due to her real-life maternity leave. Her final storyline seven years ago involved a dramatic plot with her drug-smuggling ex, Antoine.
Now, with her children Matilda (9), Delilah (6), and Charlie (3) based nearby in Bolton, Flanagan believes working on the show would allow her to balance career and family. She told The Mirror she "would love to go back" and admitted she sometimes misses the excitement of filming. While the producers have yet to extend an invitation, the door seems firmly open for Rosie Webster's potential return to Weatherfield.
