HELEN Flanagan’s life was turned upside down when she split from fiancé Scott Sinclair late last year.
But in 2023 she’s come back fighting, with plans to reignite her acting career and a sexy new image – and set of boobs.
The former Corrie star, 33, has spoken of her “newfound confidence” which has seen her share racy lingerie snaps to social media, showing off her incredible figure.
Single and ready-to-mingle Helen has also been active on the dating scene and is set to spend Christmas with boxer David Haye – whom she met on I’m A Celeb in 2012 – and his throuple partner Sian Osborne in Bali.
Relationship expert Jo Hemmings says Helen has “transformed into a much more glamorous and sophisticated version of herself”.
“It is very common to want to look significantly different after a major break up,” Jo said – referencing the star’s admissions earlier this year to having Botox and filler.
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“Women can feel that their confidence and self-esteem have been damaged, or they may feel inadequate, or think, ‘If only I made more effort we might have stayed together’.
“Added to that, having three young children, and having given up her Coronation Street role, perhaps Helen thought she was becoming too ‘mumsy’ and wanted to find her own identity again.”
Helen has spoken candidly about lacking in confidence after having her children, and told The Sun her boob job in January was something she’d “always planned to do”.
“After so many years of pregnancy, breastfeeding and watching Peppa Pig, this has really made me feel like myself again,” she said.
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Helen has certainly not held back in showing off the results – but cruel trolls have taken issue with her being a mum posing in underwear online, posting cruel comments.
She hit back, writing: “I’ve always been and will always be such a good mum. It’s the most important job I’ve ever done!
“But I’m also a woman, and it’s been a tumultuous year and honestly, I’m just learning to look after myself and have fun along the way.”
Helen urged her fans to be kind, adding: “Why do we have this old fashioned idea of how mums should look and dress and behave?
“Honestly, I’m happier now than ever and guess what? That makes me a better mum, too.”
Career comeback
Helen has also lined up a return to acting in the new year – she is set to star as Miss Scarlett in a touring production of Cluedo.
It follows her star turn in I’m A Celebrity All Stars, which aired in April and saw Helen put in a much more resilient performance than her first stint in the jungle, where she wimped out of all the trials.
“I loved it so much, I really, really did,” Helen said of her South African adventure.
“I just loved every second. It was so nice to come back a second time and have another chance of doing it… I just took a totally different approach with the trials this time.
“I did prep a bit before the show. I worked on a lot of my fears before I went to South Africa.”
While Jo said Helen’s Cluedo role will “suit her glamorous new look”, she offered a word of caution.
“Given Helen hasn’t been acting in any kind of a role for a while, she is obviously delighted that she is playing Miss Scarlett,” she said.
“However, while she may have felt that she needed to shake off her ‘Rosie Webster’ character from Corrie, she needs to be careful that her career doesn’t drift off into a series of minor roles as an alluring and sexy blonde.
“Otherwise she’ll end up being stereotyped again, just in a very different way.
“She has a lot of support from friends and colleagues, so hopefully they will ensure she makes the right decisions.”
Jo was also wary about Helen’s involvement with David Haye, with whom she’s enjoyed some “great dates”.
She said: “I think what Helen really wants is to be part of a stable couple, while simultaneously pursuing her other, more raunchy acting roles.
“She seems to have somehow found herself in the middle lane – a raunchy relationship.
“I don’t think this will help her career profile. It may give her momentary PR, but to go from wholesome girl next door to glamour queen via the type of relationship that most of her fans won’t understand could just be a step too far.”
Painful split
It is the first year Helen will have Christmas without her children Matilda, seven, Delilah, five, and Charlie, two – they are spending it with their dad Scott Sinclair, 34.
Helen has admitted struggling in the wake of their split after 13 years together, and says while she and Scott co-parent, they “don’t really speak”.
“Earlier this year, I’d put the kids to bed and just start crying,” Helen said.
“I didn’t know what was wrong with me and then I realised it was loneliness. I’d always had a boyfriend from the age of 17, and even though I’m very strong and independent, I get lonely.
“I struggle when the kids are away – I’m always so happy when they come back through the door… I take strength from them and they keep everything in perspective.”
She told Fabulous Magazine: “I love Scott and I know that he loves me, but I suppose we just don’t like each other very much at the moment… there’s no point in pretending that we’re the best of friends when we’re not.
“What we had was really special, and because of that, the emotion between us is just too raw.
“Luckily, I get on really well with his mum and he speaks to my parents, so I’m sure Scott and I will eventually have a better relationship.”
Helen, who is on celebrity dating app Raya, has said she is enjoying the single life – but her kids will always be her number one priority.
“After being in a long-term relationship, I’m trying to find myself and do things that I really love,” she said.
“I was a bit clueless and the dating apps are weird, because you can’t see someone’s personality on there.
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“You’re just going on a few pictures and a quick bio. Matilda thinks it’s hilarious. She tells all her friends: ‘My mummy’s got a boys app!’”
Helen added she wouldn’t rule out more kids in the future: “Maybe I’ll find The One in my 30s and maybe I’ll go on to have just one more baby if it feels right.”
