Helen Flanagan, the 35-year-old former Coronation Street actress, shares a candid story of a near romantic encounter with TOWIE star James Argent in her new memoir, Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie.
Near-Miss on Celebrity Super Spa
During the 2013 reality series Celebrity Super Spa, Flanagan appeared alongside Argent, celebrity chefs Rusty Lee and John Burton-Race, Shameless actor Jody Latham, and Most Haunted‘s Yvette Fielding. The pair grew close on set, sparking romance rumors at the time.
Flanagan describes a tense moment in a hotel room where the chemistry between them intensified. Lying on the bed as Argent stroked her back, she sensed a brief spark of attraction. However, she held back, later reflecting on the encounter as feeling ‘weird.’
In the book, Flanagan explains her mixed feelings: ‘I was too mixed up over Scott and I didn’t even know if I actually fancied Arg although I did like him a lot. He definitely wasn’t my usual type – I usually went for sporty guys who were into their health and fitness whereas Arg would eat four Greggs sausage rolls for breakfast. I think he was probably more into me than I was him, but there was a brief moment of heat between us which felt… weird.’
She notes that producers encouraged the potential pairing, often suggesting they would make a great match. Yet, Flanagan clarifies that while she enjoyed his company, Argent did not align with her preferences for fitness-oriented partners.
Reflections on Celebs Go Dating and Personal Life
Flanagan also opens up about her 2024 appearance on Celebs Go Dating, where she grappled with confusion over her sexuality. During filming, she shared her thoughts but later requested the removal of those scenes to avoid distressing her family.
She writes about the anxiety: ‘The thought of this footage going out on national telly got me really depressed, like I’d massively let her down as a daughter.’ Producers accommodated her request, carefully editing out the sensitive portions.
The show took another turn when Flanagan admitted to having a boyfriend at home, Robbie Talbot, shocking her co-stars and experts. Love guru Paul Brunson responded firmly: ‘Helen has not only wasted our time, but all of the dates’ time. We need to hear the full truth of why she has kept this from us. And if we are not happy with her response, it is time for her to leave the agency.’
Flanagan, who shares three children—Matilda, nine; Delilah, six; and Charlie, four—with ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, ended their relationship in 2022. She began dating former non-league footballer Robbie Talbot, 45, and went public with the romance in 2024 before splitting in May 2025.
At the time, she pleaded to remain in the agency’s therapeutic environment despite her relationship status: ‘I know I can’t date but I would like to maybe stay in the agency and still have a bit of maybe therapy. For myself.’
