Helen: “My life has more purpose now I’m a mum”
As she returns to Corrie as wild child Rosie Webster, Helen Flanagan reveals how her life has changed since she had her daughter
She quit Coronation Street five years ago after suffering with anxiety, but now Helen Flanagan is returning a happy, healthy and content mother. Reprising her role as hellraiser Rosie Webster, the actress – once a regular face on the Manchester party scene – says life couldn’t be more different.
Far from the scantily clad glamour girl she was, Helen, mum to 19-month-old Matilda with Celtic footballer Scott Sinclair, 27, says she spends her time dressed down with barely a scrap of make-up on.
“It changes you, being a mum,” she reveals. “It gives you perspective, matures you, gives you more of a purpose and it’s made me a lot happier.”
FAMILY TIME
Before, Helen lived in Alderley Edge in Cheshire – notorious as WAG central – and enjoyed hitting the town. Now she’s happier away from the limelight with her family.
The actress, who lives with Matilda at her parents Paul and Julia’s house during the week, while she’s working in Manchester, tells us: “When I get a day off it’s mainly about getting to Scotland to spend time with Scott, as he has training every day. I get weekends off so it’s good to have family time, go to the park and play with Matilda.
“Where I live now in Glasgow, you don’t get any paps, not like in Alderley Edge where all the footballers live.”
After leaving Corrie in 2012 and a stint on I’m A Celeb!, Helen’s focus has been on her family. So last autumn, when Corrie producer Kate Oates asked her if she’d like to return, she decided it was the perfect time.
She says: “I was really pleased, but I did worry about what it was going to be like being away from Matilda, as any mum would. I’ve spent every second with her.”
Helen admits she cried when she dropped Matilda off for her first day at nursery, but says her parents have been on hand to help with childcare, which has made the transition easier.
Helen looks slim and healthy when we meet her, but says she was concerned about the weight she lost after the birth.
She says: “I had my thyroid checked because I dropped quite a lot of weight, but it’s my metabolism. I’m lucky, I just eat. At the canteen I have two lunches and two desserts!”
However, the actress admits she was “borderline anorexic” as a teenager and was so slim her periods stopped. She also revealed last year that she battles anxiety, saying at the time: “It’s horrible and can control your life. 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.”
Being back at work means Helen can be pampered after focusing all her attention on Matilda.
“I spend the longest time in makeup,” she says. “My hair extensions are a pain to blow-dry, but that’s what I love, working and feeling glamorous. When I’m at home with Matilda I don’t look like that. I have no time to put on make-up and wear my hair in a bun on my head.”
PRIVATE LIFE
Helen has moved around to support Scott’s career at West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and, in August last year, Celtic. But life in Scotland suits her as she values her privacy.
She says: “I don’t post anything about my daughter or relationship on Instagram. I’ve grown up in the public eye, so you learn.”
Helen says her Corrie character has changed just as she has, maturing from what she calls “Bad Rosie” to “Rosie with a heart.”
She explains: “Rosie is more likeable now. I didn’t enjoy playing Rosie in a nasty, catty way: I didn’t feel real with the situation.”
Being back in her soap family with dad Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and mum Sally (Sally Dynevor) has made returning to work easier, too. Helen says: “It’s so nice being together. We really do love each other.” Coronation Street is on ITV1 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm