EXCLUSIVE: Helen Flanagan, former Coronation Street actress, has revealed her intentions to make a comeback to acting and teased some thrilling developments in her career as she marks 25 years in the industry.
Helen Flanagan has shared her enthusiasm for a fresh chapter in her life and is setting her sights on returning to the stage.
The 34-year-old former Coronation Street star had to withdraw from the Cluedo 2 theatre tour last year due to health concerns. However, she’s now gearing up for a strong comeback to acting, with several exciting ventures already on the horizon.
While attending the WhichBingo Awards this week, Helen expressed her renewed drive for performing:
“Acting has always been my passion. I’ve got two brilliant projects lined up for next year, and I’m really looking forward to focusing fully on my acting career again. I’d love to do theatre and also explore some dramatic roles. There’s so much I want to try—I feel like I’m getting a fresh start and theatre is where I want to begin.”
Helen rose to fame playing Rosie Webster on Coronation Street, a role she debuted 25 years ago. And while she’s excited about new opportunities, she hasn’t closed the door on Weatherfield.
“People always ask if I’m returning to Coronation Street, and the truth is—I’d absolutely love to.”
She also addressed recent speculation that she had been turned down by Corrie producers:
“I saw something recently that said ‘Helen reached out to Corrie bosses and was rejected’—but that’s simply not true.”
Reflecting on her longtime alter ego, Helen said:
“Rosie and I kind of grew up together. In many ways, I was just playing myself—but I’d never actually behave like she did. I remember when they made her quite mean and spiteful, which was funny because I’m such a soft person in real life—it felt odd.”
Helen took over the role of Rosie in 2000, succeeding Emma Collinge, who had portrayed the character throughout the ’90s. Over the years, Rosie was involved in several memorable storylines—from her rivalry with sister Sophie (Brooke Vincent) to her kidnapping by John Stape (Graeme Hawley), and her ambitions of becoming a model.
Since leaving the soap in 2018, Helen has made a name for herself in reality TV, appearing on Celebs Go Dating, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
She is also a devoted mother to her three children with former fiancé and footballer Scott Sinclair. Helen is currently in a relationship with Robbie Talbot.