Helen Flanagan has publicly shared her experiences with casual sex, intense rejection, and the challenges of living with ADHD in a series of candid posts on Instagram. The 35-year-old actress, known for her role in Coronation Street, posted tearful selfies and detailed personal reflections on relationships, addiction, and motherhood.
Flanagan, who has three children – Matilda, Delilah, and Charlie – with ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, explained her approach to intimacy. "When it comes to sex, I'm not a casual girl. I'm a lover girl/wifey, and I do get attached," she wrote. She expressed frustration with men who ghost partners after intimacy, calling them "big fat rats."
She described experiencing intense feelings and "limerence" in past relationships, coupled with significant "rejection sensitivity." Flanagan likened her romantic intensity to Cathy Earnshaw in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, noting a lifelong pattern of falling in love hard and early. She recalled moving in with her first boyfriend at 17 and getting her then-boyfriend's name tattooed at 19.
Motherhood and ADHD
Flanagan also discussed the impact of ADHD on her life as a mother. She noted that she can become overstimulated, particularly with excessive noise, and acknowledged swearing when frustrated. Despite challenges with organization, she emphasized her commitment to ensuring her children's needs are met. She also speculated that at least one of her three children may be neurodivergent.
In relation to addiction, Flanagan stated that while she does not have a problem with alcohol, she developed unhealthy habits after separating from her children's father to cope with stress. She has since adopted a healthier relationship with alcohol. She also touched upon drug addiction, describing it as a sensitive topic due to the struggles of someone close to her, and expressed empathy for those affected.
Recent Life Changes
Earlier in July, Flanagan spoke about feeling unsure of herself amid significant life changes, including the recent sale of the family home she shared with Sinclair. The Lancashire property, originally listed for £1.5 million, sold for £945,000. Flanagan is currently between homes and contemplating her next move, including a potential relocation to London.
She expressed frustration with her career, stating a desire for acting work and feeling a lack of creative engagement with her social media content, which has led to anxiety. Flanagan also shared her experience of moving house during a heatwave.
The actress and Sinclair, a professional footballer, ended their 13-year relationship in 2022. Their separation has reportedly been contentious, with disputes arising over household items, including a sofa that Flanagan had reupholstered and Sinclair claimed as his. Conversations regarding their living arrangements and possessions have largely occurred via email, with Flanagan reportedly no longer speaking directly to her ex-partner.