Coronation Street Co-Star Confronted Teen Actor's Sexualisation
Helen Flanagan has spoken candidly about one of the most contentious storylines from her time on Coronation Street, disclosing how a fellow cast member voiced strong objections behind the scenes when boundaries were crossed.
The actress, who first joined the ITV soap at just nine years old portraying Rosie Webster, has revealed that Alison King, who plays Carla Connor, was incensed by how the young Helen was being depicted during a troubling plot involving Rosie being groomed by her teacher, John Stape.
A Troubling Teenage Portrayal
At the time, Helen was merely 16 years old, only a year older than her character Rosie, and unexpectedly found herself at the heart of an adult-oriented narrative that continues to unsettle audiences to this day.
In an interview with The Mirror, Helen recounted how Alison did not remain silent about the issue. She stated: 'Was it morally right that I was expected to parade about in my knickers like some mad nymphomaniac when I was still just a teenager? Alison King, who plays Carla Connor, once kicked off in the green room, saying how disgusting it was that they were sexualising me when I was a young girl. I didn't fully comprehend what she was talking about at the time. I do now. I get it.'
Dark Storyline and Lasting Impact
The storyline, which ultimately exposed John Stape, portrayed by Graeme Hawley, as a serial killer, propelled Rosie into increasingly sinister situations, including an affair with her teacher and a subsequent terrifying kidnapping plot once the truth emerged.
While the drama made for compelling television, Helen acknowledges that the experience left her feeling uneasy long after filming concluded. She explained that, as a teenager, she did not feel adequately prepared to challenge what was being asked of her.
'I had to do kissing and bedroom scenes with a man a lot older than me. Obviously, the actor (Graeme Hawley) was lovely, but I don't think it would happen now. When you're 16, you don't really know what's going on, and I was just happy to get the big storylines.'
Reflecting on the past, she admits that some scenes felt profoundly wrong. 'But I had scenes as Rosie, which didn't always sit comfortably with me. I felt minging post-shoot.'
Industry Evolution and Personal Empowerment
Helen believes the entertainment industry has undergone significant transformation since then, particularly with increased advocacy against the sexualisation and mistreatment of women.
'Everything has changed now, which I'm glad about. They wouldn't write it in quite the same way all these years later and since the Me Too movement.'
Hailing from Bury, Greater Manchester, Helen describes herself as 'a very normal, northern working-class girl' and credits Coronation Street with profoundly altering her life. She departed the soap in 2012, made a brief return between 2017 and 2018, and does not dismiss the possibility of another comeback in the future.
Now aged 35, Helen notes a stark contrast between her Coronation Street years and her current theatrical work. She is presently starring in The Memory of Water at Bolton's Octagon Theatre and emphasises that having an intimacy coordinator on set has made a substantial difference.
'Back then you just got on with it,' she remarked regarding her soap experience.
Distinguishing Sexualisation from Self-Expression
Crucially, Helen draws a clear distinction between being sexualised and choosing to express oneself. Today, she asserts that owning her image and sexuality feels empowering because it is on her own terms.
'I post sexy pictures. I work for different lingerie brands. I enjoy that. I like to feel sexy. I like to feel empowered and in control. That's the difference.'
However, she concedes that this has not always been her experience, adding: 'I've turned up to some shoots which I didn't know would be so "sexy", thinking it would be unprofessional to object and been in tears.'
Personal Life and Moving Forward
Beyond her acting career, Helen's personal life has also faced intense public scrutiny. She shares three children with her footballer ex-partner Scott Sinclair and recently disclosed her heartbreak over his decision to sell the family home.
Although the couple separated in 2022 amidst rumours of infidelity, Helen and the children continue to reside in the £1 million property in Belmont, Bolton. She spoke frankly about the situation, stating: 'I'll always love Scott, but he's really let me down.'
She further expressed that his choice has generated anxiety about her future. 'I worry about my future and my security. I have to work constantly to make ends meet.'
In her debut book, Head & Heart: Break-ups, breakdowns and being Rosie, Helen offers an honest reflection on their 13-year relationship. 'I was with him for 13 years, he was my whole 20s. We don't speak, we don't communicate at all. I do find it just really sad. I never wanted it to be this way.'
Presently, she is concentrating on rebuilding her life, raising her children, and finding inner peace. 'It feels like everything's coming together now. I've come a long way, and I'm really proud of myself. Onwards and upwards.'
Metro has reached out to Coronation Street for comment but has not yet received a response.
