Ten years after her unforgettable stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Helen says she’s channelling that same resilience into a new chapter filled with honesty, humour, and self-belief.
“I’m 35 now, and I feel like I’m just doing things my own way,” Helen says. “I’ve had my kids, and now I’m really enjoying focusing on my work and myself.”
- Single, Strong, and Self-Assured
- Family Life
- Back to Her First Love: Acting
- Putting Pen to Paper
- Looking Ahead
- Helen’s Journey Continues
Helen Flanagan chats exclusively with WhichBingo about motherhood, co-parenting, and embracing single life while opening up about her upcoming book, mental health journey, and return to acting.
Single, Strong, and Self-Assured
After separating from her ex-partner in 2023, Helen has fully embraced single life and she’s not in a rush to change that.
“I actually prefer being single this time around,” she explains.
“I don’t want a boyfriend right now. I want to enjoy this time for myself. I’ve always been a ‘boyfriend girl’, but now I feel like I deserve this time to just be on my own.”
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That doesn’t mean she’s ruling out fun altogether just that she’s enjoying life on her own terms.
“I do date, but I’m not looking for anything serious,” she smiles. “I’m at a really nice stage in my life. I love male company, but I’m really enjoying being single.”
Helen’s confidence and self-awareness shine through as she talks, reflecting a woman who’s finally comfortable with who she is flaws, freedom, and all.
Family Life
Candid as ever, Helen doesn’t shy away from discussing the realities of co-parenting. She and her ex-partner share three children and have found a balance that works for them even during the holidays.
“No one enjoys it, do they? I mean, let’s be honest. It can be pretty shit sometimes, so there’s no point sugar-coating it,” Helen admits. “We try to be fair with each other. I had the kids last Christmas, so it’s their dad’s turn this year.”
Despite the challenges, she always finds a way to make family time feel special.
“I’m doing panto this Christmas, so I’ll be busy, and I’ll make our own special Christmas before they go, the presents, the dinner, the lot. It’s just a day. It’s about the mindset.”
That grounded outlook, Helen says, stems partly from her time in the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
“When you’re in that jungle, you either sink or swim,” she laughs. “You learn how strong you really are and that’s stayed with me.”
Back to Her First Love: Acting
After years away from full-time acting, Helen is ready to return to the stage and she couldn’t be more excited.
“I start rehearsals for The Memory of Water in January, and I’m so excited,” she says. “It’s a beautiful play at the theatre I grew up going to, and the role feels perfect for me.”
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For Helen, it’s not just a career move it’s a rediscovery of purpose.
“Just because you do social media or reality TV doesn’t make you less of an actress,” she says firmly. “I’m proud to be a working mum, and I’ll do things my own way.”
And yes, she still has a soft spot for Coronation Street, where she grew up on-screen as Rosie Webster.
“I’d absolutely love to go back one day,” Helen smiles. “I’d love to see Rosie as a mum, it would be such a full-circle moment.”
Putting Pen to Paper
Helen’s upcoming book, due early next year, explores her journey with ADHD, PMDD, and motherhood. It’s deeply personal and something she hopes will help others feel less alone.
“I was really unwell in January 2024 after a bad reaction to ADHD medication, and it sent me into a psychosis,” Helen shares openly. “Writing became really empowering for me. I hope my book helps other women who’ve struggled with heartbreak or mental health to feel less alone.”
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She describes the process as healing, honest, and full of humour.
“I wanted to write something funny and relatable, something that women could connect to,” she says. “Talking about mental health makes people feel less on their own.”
Reflecting on her time in the jungle, she draws a surprising link between the two experiences.
“It’s funny, people think I’m A Celeb is just eating bugs, but it’s actually a huge mental challenge,” Helen explains. “You come away from it knowing your mind is tougher than you thought.”
Looking Ahead
Between her upcoming stage role, her book, and raising three children, Helen’s plate is full, but she’s never sounded more content.
“I feel like I’m in a really good place,” she says. “I’ve got amazing projects coming up, my kids are happy, and I’m doing what I love. I’m just focusing on being the best version of me.”
Helen’s Journey Continues
Helen Flanagan’s story isn’t one of reinvention so much as reclamation of her confidence, creativity, and calm. From the chaos of the jungle to the stage lights of The Memory of Water, she’s proving that growth doesn’t mean changing who you are, it means finally feeling comfortable being yourself.
“I’ve learned to stop worrying about what people think,” she says simply. “This is me, and I’m proud of that.”
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