Helen Flanagan's Eldest Child Gets Embarrassed Seeing Her on TV
Synopsis
Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has revealed her eldest daughter, Matilda, gets embarrassed watching her on TV, while five-year-old Charlie proudly announces 'That's mummy!' The 35-year-old actress, now starring on Paramount+'s Celebrity Ex on the Beach, says everything she does professionally is motivated by her three children.
Key Takeaways
Helen Flanagan, 35 , revealed her eldest daughter Matilda, 10 , feels embarrassed watching her mother on television.
Her youngest child, five-year-old son Charlie , proudly identifies her on screen by saying 'That's mummy' .
Helen left Coronation Street in 2018 after portraying Rosie Webster for 18 years on and off.
She is currently starring in Paramount+'s Celebrity Ex on the Beach , filmed in Tenerife , alongside eight other celebrity singletons .
Helen and ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair ended their engagement in October 2022 ; she has since had two further relationships, the most recent ending in May 2025 .
Helen actively involves her children in her work, including bringing her eldest to pantomime performances , stating "Everything I do is for them" .
Helen Flanagan, the 35-year-old former Coronation Street actress, has opened up about how her children react to seeing her on television — with her eldest daughter feeling embarrassed and her youngest bursting with pride. The candid revelation came during an interview with BANG Showbiz, reported by Female First UK, as Flanagan promotes her latest reality TV appearance on Paramount+'s Celebrity Ex on the Beach.
What Helen Flanagan Said About Her Children's Reactions
Speaking to BANG Showbiz, Helen described the contrasting reactions from her three children. "My children love seeing me on TV. My five-year-old will say, 'That's mummy'," she shared warmly. "I've watched bits of TV with them, and they find it hilarious, though my eldest does get embarrassed. It's quite funny because at home I get outvoted on what we watch."
The actress is mother to Matilda, 10, and Delilah, seven, as well as five-year-old son Charlie — all three children shared with her 37-year-old ex-fiancé, professional footballer Scott Sinclair.
Helen's Effort to Keep Her Children Involved in Her Career
Despite frequently being away for work commitments, Helen makes a conscious effort to include her children in her professional life wherever possible. She particularly values bringing them into her pantomime performances.
"I like them to see what I'm doing because I'm often away working, so I try to involve them where I can, like bringing my eldest along when I was doing panto," she explained. "Everything I do is for them, so I want them to feel part of it."
This approach reflects a broader trend among celebrity mothers in the UK entertainment industry who are increasingly vocal about balancing high-profile careers with hands-on parenting — particularly following public separations.
Helen Flanagan's Television Career and Recent Projects
Helen rose to national fame playing Rosie Webster on Coronation Street, a role she held on and off for 18 years before her final departure in 2018. Since then, she has embraced reality television, appearing on Channel 4's Celebs Go Dating and most recently joining the cast of Paramount+'s Celebrity Ex on the Beach.
The show features nine celebrity singletons who travel to Tenerife in search of romance, only to be confronted with former partners — a format tailor-made for emotionally charged television.
Helen's Personal Life After Scott Sinclair Split
Helen and Scott Sinclair called off their long-term engagement in October 2022 after over a decade together. Following the split, she briefly dated former heavyweight boxing champion David Haye, 45, a relationship that lasted approximately six months before ending in December 2023.
She subsequently entered a relationship with ex-football player Robbie Talbot, 46, which came to an end in May 2025 after approximately one year of dating. Her participation in Celebrity Ex on the Beach signals a new chapter in both her personal and professional life.
As Celebrity Ex on the Beach continues to air on Paramount+, audiences can expect more candid moments from Helen Flanagan — and perhaps a closer look at how she navigates life as a working single mother in the public eye.
Point of View
Who has faced intense tabloid scrutiny over her relationships and career choices since leaving Coronation Street, is actively reframing the narrative around her work as an act of maternal devotion rather than personal ambition. In an era where female celebrities are routinely judged for prioritising careers post-separation, her transparency about involving her children is a deliberate and culturally significant stance. The broader question this raises is whether reality TV formats like Celebrity Ex on the Beach genuinely serve the long-term interests of parents in the public eye — or whether the short-term visibility comes at a deeper personal cost.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Helen Flanagan's eldest child feel embarrassed watching her on TV?
Helen Flanagan revealed in an interview with BANG Showbiz that her eldest daughter Matilda, aged 10, gets embarrassed when she appears on television. Helen described it as 'quite funny', noting that her younger children find it hilarious instead.
How many children does Helen Flanagan have and who is their father?
Helen Flanagan has three children — daughters Matilda, 10, and Delilah, 7, and son Charlie, 5. All three children are with her ex-fiancé, professional footballer Scott Sinclair, from whom she separated in October 2022.
What is Helen Flanagan currently starring in?
Helen Flanagan is currently appearing on Paramount+'s Celebrity Ex on the Beach, filmed in Tenerife. The show features nine celebrity singles who encounter both potential new love interests and their former partners.
When did Helen Flanagan leave Coronation Street?
Helen Flanagan made her final departure from Coronation Street in 2018, having played the character Rosie Webster on and off for 18 years. She has since focused on reality television projects.
Who has Helen Flanagan dated since splitting from Scott Sinclair?
After ending her engagement to Scott Sinclair in October 2022, Helen Flanagan dated former boxer David Haye for approximately six months, ending in December 2023. She then dated ex-footballer Robbie Talbot for about a year before splitting in May 2025.
