Actress Helen Flanagan, 34, and former footballer Robbie Talbot, 45, had a ‘grown-up’ chat and decided to split after dating for one year, according to a source
Helen Flanagan has split from her boyfriend of one year as they want “different things in life”, a source has claimed.
The 34-year-old actress, best known for playing the role of Rosie Webster in Coronation Street, reportedly wanted children with former footballer Robbie Talbot, 45, but is now determined to focus on her career and family. According to an insider, Helen, who shares three kids with her ex, Scott Sinclair, had a “grown-up” chat with Robbie after realising that things were not working out between them.
The split comes just weeks after a source claimed that Helen began worrying that her relationship could be “going backwards” after Robbie moved out months after they started living together. A source said Helen was desperate to make the relationship work, but found it difficult to juggle her role as devoted mum to children Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and three-year-old Charlie, while building something new.
READ MORE: Helen Flanagan hints at Coronation Street return insisting show ‘needs’ her
News of the pair’s break-up was first reported by The Sun with a source telling the newspaper: “They want different things in life. She has just landed a new acting job and is trying to juggle work projects with the kids.
“She sat him down two weeks ago and said, ‘This isn’t working.’ It was a grown-up chat. She just wants to be on her own for a while although she still has feelings for him.”
Helen, who split from the dad of her children in 2022, went on to meet dad-of-two Robbie – whom she described as “really, really funny” – in a bar before going on Celebs Go Dating. Robbie said he recognised Helen when she walked into the restaurant in Alderly Edge, Cheshire.
He previously shared: “I thought she was stunning. It was all very old-fashioned. I made a joke about a coat my friend was wearing and from there we got chatting.” But Helen had a slightly different first impression. “I thought he was gay,” she laughed.
“He has these really white teeth and was so well dressed and smart and he was with his mate and I just assumed. As soon as we got talking, I realised that wasn’t the case, we exchanged numbers, started messaging and here we are!”
Discussing the recent decision for Robbie to move out just months after they started living together, Helen said in a recent interview with Fabulous: “I’d asked him to stay for a while, because I often get quite scared in the house on my own and feel safer with a man there.
“But Matilda is very sensitive and a proper daddy’s girl, and she struggles with not seeing Scott as often as she’d like. I always think about how she feels when she misses her dad, and having my boyfriend there maybe doesn’t help her.
“When you’re a mum, you do what you’ve got to do for your kids – I will always put mine first.” Helen added that their new arrangement meant the romance was “fresh” and allowed her to co-sleep with her kids smoothly. Despite putting on a brave face, the transition was not an easy one for Helen as an insider explained: “It’s tough because she has the responsibility of the kids and balancing her relationship – she doesn’t want it to be one or the other. Robbie moving out does feel like a setback but she’s reminding herself that it’s the best thing for the family.”
The Mirror has contacted Helen Flanagan’s representative for comment.
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