Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan and her ex-fiancé are reportedly no longer on speaking terms
Helen Flanagan(Image: Getty Images)
Helen Flanagan has been warned that her ongoing dispute with ex-partner Scott Sinclair “could get more heated” amid claims the footballer is pressuring her to leave their shared home. Helen currently resides in a luxurious six-bedroom house with the three children she shares with Scott.
Scott reportedly wants Helen to move into a smaller property, but insiders suggest the 35-year-old actress, best known for her role as Rosie Webster on ITV’s Coronation Street, won’t be leaving without a fight. Despite sharing daughters Matilda, ten, Delilah, seven, and son Charlie, four, the couple’s relationship is said to have deteriorated to the point where they no longer communicate directly, instead relaying messages through family members.
Psychotherapy expert Marygrace Anderson warns that the escalating tension between Helen and Scott could become “the new normal” if they don’t seek help. Speaking to The Mirror, Anderson, who is also a certified hypnotherapist and founder of MG Hypnosis, said: “The fact that communication appears to have broken down to the point where everything is going through Helen’s parents suggests just how strained things have become between Helen and Scott. The concern psychologically is that if this dynamic continues, it risks becoming increasingly the new normal.
“The current conflict around the house is likely about far more than the property itself. For Helen, the home may represent stability, routine, proximity to family support and continuity for the children, particularly given how young they are. From Scott’s perspective, the house may feel financially unsustainable or necessary to sell in order to fund the next stage, which can leave both parties feeling stuck and unheard.”
Helen and Scott called time on their relationship in 2022 after 13 years together. However, despite the former couple never tying the knot, Helen’s residence in Belmont, near Bolton, remains in Scott’s name, reports the Mirror.
The impressive property was initially listed last year for an eye-watering £1.5million, though the asking price was subsequently slashed to £995,000.
Whilst Scott is pushing for Helen to relocate to somewhere smaller, the actress is reportedly attached to her current neighbourhood and is reluctant to uproot her children or disrupt their schooling. Helen also benefits from having her parents living nearby.
Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair split after 13 years together in 2022 (Image: GETTY)
“Scott pays for the house and all the bills, and he’s decided a six-bedroom place is way too big for Helen on her own with the kids,” an insider revealed. They added to The Sun: “Helen doesn’t want to move and is digging her heels in. She loves the place, the kids are settled at the local school, and her mum and dad live around the corner.”
Sources suggest Scott has gone as far as offering to purchase Helen a new property.
According to reports: “Scott wants to buy Helen a four-bedroom home. He’s even offered to put it in her name, but wants to stop the maintenance payments.”
The insider revealed, however, that Helen had contributed significantly to the property’s worth. They alleged Scott was keen to sell up to “take the money out,” whilst claiming he was “not being reasonable.”
During the festive season, Helen publicly criticised her former fiancé for missing their son’s nativity play. Scott was instead attending the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
She vented on social media: “You really are a piece of sh*t. How dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity.”
Scott had shared photos from his trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he watched British racing driver Lando Norris clinch the championship. He captioned the images: “What a weekend – Abu Dhabi F1,” followed by “Happy Days, blurry nights.”
Marygrace suggests Helen’s outburst may indicate she’s feeling “unheard”.
She explains: “When a long-term relationship breaks down, particularly one involving young children, nervous systems can remain in a heightened state for a long time. That often makes practical matters, such as housing and finances, feel far more emotionally charged than they otherwise might.
“For Helen specifically, this seems to be a very difficult period. She has experienced the end of a long relationship and now faces uncertainty around the family home and stability for the children. It’s common in situations like this for emotions to spill over, particularly at times such as Christmas, when family expectations, absence and perceived unfairness can feel amplified.
“Publicly expressing frustration or hurt can often be a sign of feeling unheard, rather than an intention to escalate conflict – as she already acknowledges there is communication issues.”
Marygrace cautions that without professional support, Helen – who is hoping to find love once more – may find it challenging to progress.
She adds: “It’s unlikely to be practical or healthy long term to rely on grandparents as the go-to, and rebuilding some form of direct, supported communication would be important for future decision-making around the children’s needs. If they don’t, things could get more heated and spill out into the media.
“As well as this, individual therapy could also help at this stage of life. Therapies that focus on emotional regulation and coping mechanisms – including hypnotherapy – can support individuals in managing stress, reducing impulse reactions and feeling more calm and grounded during periods of uncertainty or instability.
“The further apart and disillusioned both sides become with each other, the harder it is to move forward in an amicable manner. However, with the right support and intention, it is possible to reduce conflict which ultimately benefits everyone involved. After all, the ‘relationship’ will continue for the rest of their lives.”
The Mirror has reached out to representatives for both Scott and Helen.