Helen Flanagan marked her 36th birthday with a celebration in Lake Como, Italy, sharing glimpses of her festivities on Instagram. The former Coronation Street star showcased two different bikini looks during her trip.
Flanagan posted a video on Friday of herself preparing for her birthday, featuring a clip from her hotel balcony where she wore a blue string bikini, a sheer blue beach dress, and a matching bandanna. Earlier, she had shared a mirror selfie in a pink bikini accented with gold hardware.
These posts come after Flanagan reflected on a full year of being single. She shared candid thoughts on social media, stating that the only time she misses having a boyfriend is when she is without her children. Flanagan expressed a preference for relationships but emphasized that she would rather be alone than settle for an unsuitable partner. She also noted that she is not someone who generally enjoys being alone and prefers the company of close friends or family when her children are not with her.
Flanagan, who has three children—Matilda, Delilah, and Charlie—with ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, split from the professional footballer in 2022 after 13 years together. She later briefly dated construction worker Robbie but they separated in the summer of 2025.
In previous social media posts, Flanagan discussed her experiences as a woman with ADHD, including her approach to relationships and sex. She described herself as a "lover girl/wifey" who gets attached, and commented on the practice of ghosting. Flanagan also shared a tearful selfie discussing intense rejection sensitivity, a trait she links to limerence, comparing herself to Cathy Earnshaw from "Wuthering Heights."
She recalled being a romantic from a young age, mentioning her first boyfriend at 14 and moving in with him at 17. Her second relationship was with her children's father, lasting 13 years, during which she got his name tattooed at 19.
Flanagan also touched upon the prevalence of addiction among individuals with ADHD, noting that while she does not have a problem with alcohol, she developed unhealthy coping mechanisms after separating from her children's father, using them to numb stress and sadness. She expressed empathy for those affected by drug addiction, referencing a close personal experience.
As a mother with ADHD, Flanagan described experiencing overstimulation, particularly with multiple sounds, and acknowledged swearing when frustrated. She stated that despite not always being the most organized, she ensures everything is perfect for her children, and believes at least one of her three children may also be neurodivergent.
Earlier in the month, Flanagan mentioned struggling with being out of work and feeling unsure of herself following the sale of her family home, which she shared with her ex Scott. The Lancashire property reportedly sold for £945,000 after being listed for £1.5 million.