Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has spoken candidly about her struggles with OCD and an eating disorder, revealing the conditions have affected her since childhood. The 34-year-old mother of three shared her experiences on the Life of Bryony podcast.
Flanagan recalled that at around age 16, she became obsessed with weighing seven stone, despite being naturally slim. She said she hardly ate anything, and her periods only started at 16 because she was underweight. The school nurse and her employers at Coronation Street became involved, and her mother warned her she could lose her job.
The actress admitted that some of her eating habits persist today, though she considers herself healthy. She noted that after splitting from her ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, she stopped eating bread and pasta. She has recently reintroduced bread.
Flanagan also revealed she has suffered from OCD since she was about 10 years old, experiencing intrusive thoughts. She described having “crippling OCD” after the birth of her eldest daughter, Matilda, now nine. She said she felt sorry for her daughter for having a mother like her, but she is now vigilant for signs of OCD in Matilda.
The actress praised her own mother for reassuring her about OCD when she was younger, but noted the condition is difficult to discuss for fear of being judged. She added that she respects her daughter's privacy and does not comment on her potential symptoms.
