Helen Flanagan has been unlucky in love once again after being axed from a reality dating show just four episodes into the series. The former Coronation Street star had joined the cast of Ex On The Beach alongside personalities such as John Grimes from Jedward, but her stint on the show proved short-lived due to a vote from her fellow cast members.
Cast Vote Leads to Departure
The group of participants decided to vote the 35-year-old actress off the show, which was filmed in Tenerife. In a controversial scene, both Helen and Rogan O'Connor were sent packing. However, the decision did not appear to faze Helen, who smiled throughout the elimination. Speaking to the group, she said: 'Thank you so much.'
Despite her composed reaction, she did reveal that she was sad to be ending her adventure on the show so soon. She admitted that she would have liked to have found a romantic spark during her time there.
Reaction to Exit
Speaking after her exit, Helen said: 'I do feel a sadness that I didn't find a romantic spark, but I feel that the connection I have with the girls… I feel sad leaving them.' Her cast mate, The Only Way Is Essex star Dani Imbert, 28, revealed that the move to axe her came as a surprise. In a confessional, Dani said: 'I'm so shocked the boys have picked Helen, I feel like they loved her so much. It's going to feel so strange not having her here in the morning. Really sad to see her go.'
Helen had been trying her luck in the dating world in the sunshine alongside the likes of Love Island stars Curtis Pritchard and Toby Aromolaran. Before the show started, she explained why she felt the need to take part. 'I have always loved it,' she told the Mirror. 'When I was asked, it was November and freezing in the UK, and I just thought, “How fun?” I was single, so why not?' She admitted it was great to be a part of, even if her time was cut short. 'I had the best time,' she said. 'What I loved most was the girl time. There was such a gorgeous group of girls, and I don't often get that kind of social time in my everyday life.'
Future Plans
While she remains unlucky in love on reality shows following a recent spell on Celebs Go Dating as well, she is more hopeful about her career going to plan. Despite exploring new opportunities, she admits there is still a deep connection to Coronation Street. 'I'd absolutely love to return,' Helen confessed. 'It feels like home. I would love Rosie to come back as an iconic barmaid and have a Corrie wedding as it's the only wedding I'd be getting at the moment, but they haven't been in touch yet, it would be so perfect as I only live around the corner.'
Helen says that her former Corrie co-stars, Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe), and Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster), are like family. Sally and Brooke recently went to watch her in Shelagh Stephenson's play The Memory Of Water.
