Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has spoken candidly about the tough times she faced following her split from footballer Scott Sinclair.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Helen revealed she had a “very scary” psychotic episode during a New Year’s trip to Bali with their three children, Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three. The mum-of-three, who lives in Lancashire, shared photos from the trip as she admitted “what a difference a year can make”.
The TV star opened up about her struggles with mental health, family fallouts, and financial difficulties after her relationship with the ex-Preston North End star ended. The former Blackburn student wrote: “This time last year: Christmas – I spent it in bed x i went to my mums for a few hours as my dad was calling me x.
“I said to Scott he could have the kids (i live really north and he lives really south) because I wanted to take the kids to Bail for ten days for new year. So I knew I had to be fair.
“But it really hit me out of nowhere. I said to my friends before hand it’s just a day I’ll be fine. I had bad mental health.
“My love life was a s**t show that year…. I didn’t look after my my mental health or think. I felt so s**t and sad.
Helen had been in a relationship with footballer Scott for over a decade
“I felt like my whole life was f***ed up now and I had the perfect family. 13 years is a long time to be with someone.
“My whole 20s. I had a lot of family fall outs too and I also lost basically all my money. Me and Scott weren’t married we were engaged.
“My mental health was so bad I thought maybe my kids would be better off without me and maybe they would be better off with their dad as he’s more level headed than me. I love my kids more than words can say but when you are not well you’re not well.
“New Year’s Eve- I was in Bali but i spent it in hospital with Matilda as she had Bels Palsy and half of her face was paralysed which was just horrible as she’s my absolute princess. It was a horrendous journey over with 3 little kids, my mum did say to leave the kids and she would look after them and for me to go, but I like my kids with me x I went with my friend Beth who helped me with child care.
Helen Flanagan has emotionally opened up on her secret hardships as she struggled with her mental health, faced family fallouts and had money woes
“I remember feeling very heavy mentally and stressed as I signed up to do a 6 months theatre tour that started the middle of January and I was so excited about it and I wanted to do it so much but I was very stressed about leaving the kids.
“Very very stressed. I looked at having them home schooled so they could be with me but then I felt that wasn’t fair on them as they were settled and their dad didn’t want them home schooled.
“Majority of the tour was down south and i had the worst mum guilt wondering how was I going to do it, especially with their daddy working away too.”
In a second Instagram post, Helen wrote: “Christmas this year – my babies at my mum and dads x meant so much to me x New Year’s Eve- I met Robbie in 2024 who is the loveliest funniest guy and we had such a fun night x
“In 2024 I prioritised my mental health, made up with a lot of people that I loved and came to a bit of peace x. My head is 70% clearer than it was this time last year and for that I am grateful x.
“Of course my life isn’t perfect no one’s is and everyone has s**t going on but I have a lot to be grateful for x. I remember how I felt in my head this time last year, I felt my head could have exploded and I felt at that time that I needed some tablets to just function x.
“Just thought I’d share this if anyone else is in a really bad place…. You can work though things and things can get better no matter how heavy and hard they feel.”
Commenting on the posts, Jayde Elise Events said: “I’m beyond proud of you. Everything you’ve been through this last year and you still find time to be the most amazing friend and help me through anything at any time. I literally couldn’t do life without you. You are just incredible my darling. Love you beyond words xxxxxx”
Gillian McKeith said: “You are a fabulous mum. Truly.. Sharing your story is helping so many more mums. Sending you the biggest hug.”
Dr Natalie Haworth wrote: “Look at you now. Them babies couldn’t have a more dedicated Mummy.”
Helen Andrews added: “Well done you to share x I think you’re a lovely young woman inside and out and you are an amazing mum.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox