Helen Flanagan has never been one to shy away from honesty, but in her newly released memoir Head & Heart, the former Coronation Street star delivers her most candid reckoning yet—

one that forces a hard look at the pressures faced by young actors, the evolving ethics of television storytelling, and the personal cost of growing up in the public eye.

Flanagan, now 35, joined Coronation Street at just nine years old, stepping into the role of Rosie Webster, the eldest daughter of Sally and Kevin. Over more than a decade on the iconic ITV soap,

Rosie transformed from a precocious child into one of the show’s most controversial young women—a journey that culminated in a storyline that Flanagan now describes as deeply troubling in hindsight.

“I like to feel sexy. I like to feel empowered – and in control,” Helen Flanagan tells the Mirror

At 16, only a year older than her character, Helen found herself at the centre of a shocking plot that saw Rosie groomed by her teacher, John Stape, later revealed as a serial killer. The storyline, which eventually escalated into Rosie being kidnapped and held hostage, gripped viewers and became one of the soap’s most talked-about arcs. But behind the scenes, Flanagan says, the experience left her confused, uncomfortable, and struggling to process what was being asked of her.

In an exclusive reflection tied to the release of her book, Helen reveals that fellow Corrie star Alison King—who plays Carla Connor—was among the few who openly challenged the direction of the storyline at the time. According to Flanagan, King confronted producers, accusing them of “sexualising” a teenage actress. “I didn’t fully understand what Alison meant back then,” Helen admits. “I do now.”

Flanagan questions whether it was morally right for a teenage girl to be placed in situations that required overt sexualisation on screen. She recalls being expected to perform intimate scenes, including kissing and bedroom moments, with a significantly older actor. While she is careful to stress that her co-star Graeme Hawley was “lovely” and professional, she believes such a storyline would never be handled in the same way today.

“When you’re 16, you don’t really know what’s going on,” she reflects. “I was just happy to be trusted with big storylines. But there were scenes that didn’t sit comfortably with me. After filming, I felt awful—really minging.” In the post–Me Too era, Helen is convinced the industry has shifted for the better. “They wouldn’t write it like that now,” she says. “And I’m glad.”

The contrast between then and now is stark. Currently appearing as Catherine in Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, Flanagan says the presence of an intimacy coordinator has been transformative. “Back then, you just got on with it,” she says of her Corrie days. “Now, everything is discussed. You feel safe.”

Helen as Corrie’s Rosie Webster in a bedroom scene with “lovely” Graeme Hawley, who played John Stape

Importantly, Helen draws a clear line between exploitation and empowerment. Today, she embraces her sexuality—but firmly on her own terms. From lingerie campaigns to confident social media posts, she says reclaiming control has been vital to her healing. “I like to feel sexy. I like to feel empowered,” she explains. “The difference is choice.” She admits, however, that even in adulthood she has felt pressured on shoots, sometimes breaking down in tears after feeling unable to object.

While her professional life continues to evolve, Helen’s personal world has been equally turbulent. In recent years, headlines have focused less on her acting and more on her high-profile split from footballer Scott Sinclair, the father of her three children. The couple, who were together for 13 years, separated in 2022 amid persistent rumours of infidelity.

Now, Helen says she has been devastated by Scott’s decision to sell the £1 million family home in Bolton, where she currently lives with their children—Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four. She does not hide her anger, describing the move as a betrayal that has left her feeling insecure about the future. “I worry about my security,” she says. “I have to work constantly to make ends meet.”

Helen and her ex, footballer Scott Sinclair

Helen and Scott in happier times

In Head & Heart, Helen writes with raw emotion about the breakdown of their relationship. “He was my whole twenties,” she says. “We don’t communicate at all. I never wanted it to be this way.” For Flanagan, speaking out is not about revenge, but about modelling strength for her children—especially her eldest daughter. “I want Matilda to have her voice,” she says. “Why should I stay quiet?”

Scott is not the only relationship explored in the book. Helen also addresses her brief romance with former boxer David Haye, whom she met on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. She firmly denies persistent rumours of a “throuple” involving Haye and his partner, Sian Osbourne, but offers a nuanced reflection on the relationship. “I think he loved me,” she writes, “but I don’t think he knows how to love.”

Perhaps the most harrowing chapters of Helen’s story focus on her mental health. She has been open about living with OCD, ADHD and PMDD, as well as experiencing suicidal ideation and intrusive thoughts. In early 2024, she suffered a severe breakdown after an adverse reaction to prescribed medication, a period she describes as the darkest of her life.

“I experienced psychosis,” she reveals. “I thought I was being watched, hunted. I was terrified my children would be taken away.” With the support of her parents and therapists, Helen slowly rebuilt her life, pouring her experiences into writing. She hopes her book will resonate with others. “Talking about mental health saves lives,” she says. “It makes you feel less alone.”

Doting mum: Helen’s children are everything to her

Helen met boxer David Haye on I’m A Celeb, and the pair became romantically involved

Helen is so proud of how far she’s come

Despite everything, Helen Flanagan insists she is not bitter about Coronation Street. The show, she says, changed her life and she does not rule out a return. “I’d love to do more TV,” she says, eyeing future drama roles—and even Netflix—with optimism. For now, she is focused on stability, healing, and raising her children.

“I’ve come a long way,” Helen says quietly. “And I’m really proud of myself. Onwards and upwards.”

Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie by Helen Flanagan is out now. C