Helen: “Pregnancy has beaten my body demons for good”
As she prepares to welcome her second baby, Helen Flanagan is feeling more confident about her curves than ever
She looked S happy and relaxed as she took to the beach in Dubai last week, embracing her pregnancy curves in a yellow bikini as she begins the final countdown to the arrival of her second child next month. And sources close to Helen Flanagan – who’s already mum to two-year-old Matilda with her footballer boyfriend Scott Sinclair – say the actress’ pregnancy has given her a whole new respect for her body and that she feels more comfortable with her figure than ever before.
QUALITY TIME
A source says, “Helen had a dreadful start to her pregnancy, and was battling severe morning sickness for the first five weeks. But since that passed, Scott has been treating her to all her favourite meals, and she’s been relishing spending time outdoors playing with Matilda, going for long walks, and making time for gentle stress-busting yoga and Pilates sessions.”
Helen, 27, has previously spoken out about an eight-year struggle with an eating disorder that started when she was 15. She put on 2st during her first pregnancy, but was pictured back in her size 8 bikini just three months after giving birth in 2015. Opening up to Closer, she admitted she was “concerned” how quickly the baby weight dropped off her, but was reassured she just had a fast metabolism.
The star – who in 2012 also bravely admitted to a secret battle with depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety – has said motherhood has already changed her,
❛SHE’S HOPING FOR A BIG WEDDING LATE NEXT YEAR❜
revealing, “Matilda inspires me to be the best person I can be and I don’t want to pass any negative energy or behaviour down to her, so I’ve been seeing a therapist once a week and things have improved.”
And insiders close to Helen say her priorities have completely shifted and that she’s just focusing on her family’s happiness.
SEXIER THAN EVER
The source says, “Helen’s spent a lot of energy breaking out of negative thoughts which used to plague her, and overcoming her demons. She used to be fixated on staying slim, but now she loves being a bit curvier – she feels sexier than ever. She’s been enjoying seeing her shape change over the past few months, and is proud of her body.”
Since returning to Coronation Street last year to play Rosie Webster after a five-year break, Helen has been living with her parents in Manchester to be close to work, and takes Matilda to Glasgow each weekend to see Scott, 29, who plays for Celtic. The pair have been together since 2009, with Scott recently admitting they’ll get married “pretty soon.” A loved-up Helen posted a picture of him to Instagram last week to celebrate his birthday, captioned “the guy that I’m crazy about.”
The source says, “Being parents has brought them so much closer together. They used to love going out and partying, but now it’s all about cosy nights in and quality time with Matilda. When they’re apart, they Facetime every night, and Scott’s constantly telling her how beautiful she is and making her feel special.
“Helen is already planning on spending a lot more time in Scotland when the baby arrives. Her little family is her world, and she’s hoping for a big wedding late next year so everyone else can share in their happiness.”