Helen Flanagan has opened up about the ‘huge green flag’ that caught her attention when she started to fall for her new love interest Robbie Talbot, with the couple conveying how things between them quickly became “got intense”. The actress, known for her role on Coronation Street, had been linked with former footballer Robbie prior to joining E4’s Celebs Go Dating, post her split from Bristol Rovers captain Scott Sinclair in 2022.
It emerged during the early episodes of the Celebs Go Dating’s 2024 season that Helen was romantically involved with someone despite participating in the show, leading to an awkward confession in front of her fellow stars and dating experts Anna Williamson, Paul Carrick Brunson, and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn.
Robbie, 44, ex-striker with Morecambe and Burton Albion, thus became part of the programme, as he and 34-year-old Helen enjoyed dates and agency time after a serendipitous meeting at a restaurant in February during Helen’s self-imposed ‘man-ban’. After initially keeping her romantic life private she exclusively told OK! she feels ready to publicly express her enthusiasm for her relationship.
Talking to the magazine in their first joint interview she said that “I’ve never met anyone like him,” emphasizing his unique combination of humour, confidence, and his approach to taking care of her. She added: “He’s not only a lovely man, but he’s really, really funny. And he had the balls to chat me up! Usually I don’t get that, but he has so much confidence. And he really takes care of me.”
Helen remained tight-lipped about Robbie while on set, despite being in constant communication with him. Eventually, her emotions became too strong to conceal.
“Things got really intense between us. And in the midst of filming, I realised I was really falling for him. And that’s when it became really tough to do,” she confessed.
Robbie, on his part, coped by viewing Helen’s actions as part of her profession. He explained: “We weren’t as serious then as we are now. It was fine seeing her go on the dates. If anything, I looked at it as an acting job for her. She’s done kissing scenes in soaps and stuff, so I was totally fine with it all.”
Now, eight months later, the couple’s relationship appears stronger than ever, having introduced their children to one another. Helen is a mother to Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three, from her previous 13-year relationship. Robbie is a father to Sophia, 14, and Carina, 10, who stay with him four times a week, a fact Helen sees as a “huge green flag”.
She continued: “He’s a great daddy. And our kids all get along so well. Carina and Matilda are the same age and are so cute together, and I consider myself a friend to Sophia, we have great chats. For me, the most romantic thing Robbie could do is be kind to my kids. He reads them bedtime stories. To me that means so much more than flowers or chocolates.”