Celebrity Ex on the Beach's Helen Flanagan says fame makes dating hard
Celebrity Ex on the Beach star Helen Flanagan admits her public profile makes forming genuine romantic connections harder.
Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan struggles to date because of her fame.
The 35-year-old actress - who played Rosie Webster on the ITV soap from 2000 until 2018 - fears being recognised when meeting someone because it gets in the way of real connections.
Helen exclusively told BANG Showbiz at the Celebrity Ex on the Beach series four launch event in London on March 26: "If you’re in the public eye, it’s more difficult to date because you want to find someone who loves you for you.
"One of my best mates can go to the pub and meet someone, whereas I would feel a bit more nervous about that because then I’d think, ‘Oh, they might just go, Are you Helen?’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, great.’
"It’s harder to meet people."
In October 2022, Helen called off her engagement to 37-year-old footballer Scott Sinclair - whom she has daughters Matilda, 10, and Delilah, seven, as well as four-year-old son Charlie with.
Helen then dated former boxer David Haye, 45, which ended in December 2023 after six months, and ex-football player Robbie Talbot, 46, whom she split from in May 2025 after a one-year romance.
Returning to dating after a long-term relationship came as a shock to Helen.
The I'm A Celebrity...South Africa 2023 campmate explained: "I was in a long-term relationship from 19 to 32, so, for me, I started being single from 32, and I’m now 35.
"Everything’s changed so much with dating now. There’s so much social media and dating apps."
Helen thinks the best way to navigate dating is by being herself, and that is her approach to Paramount+'s Celebrity Ex on the Beach - which sees famous faces travel to Tenerife to meet potential lovers, only to also come face-to-face with their former partners.
One reason the star signed up for the programme is that Helen loves doing dating shows.
The E4 Celebs Go Dating 2024 cast member explained: "It’s really fun. I love dating and the psychology behind it, everything. My gay best friend laughs because his TikTok is full of this gym food, and mine is full of girly dating.
"I find it really interesting, and it's what I actually like to watch at home, dating shows."
As well as Helen, Celebrity Ex on the Beach also stars Jedward's John Grimes, 34, The Only Way is Essex cast member Dani Imbert, 27, Love Island's Toby Aromolaran, 27, Married at First Sight UK star Amy Kenyon, 29, The Challenge alum Izzy Fairthorne, 26, Love Is Blind UK's Freddie Powell, 34, and Too Hot to Handle star Chase DeMoor, 29.
Celebrity Ex on the Beach Series 4 launched in the UK on Paramount+ on Tuesday, March 31.
