Helen Flanagan, the 35-year-old former Coronation Street actress, opens up about a close encounter with TOWIE star James Argent in her new memoir, Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie. The pair connected during their time on the 2013 reality series Celebrity Super Spa, where they starred alongside figures like celebrity chefs Rusty Lee and John Burton-Race, Shameless actor Jody Latham, and Most Haunted‘s Yvette Fielding.
A Tense Moment in the Hotel Room
Flanagan describes a charged interaction that almost turned romantic. She admits to liking Argent a great deal but notes that he seemed more invested than she was. Producers on the show encouraged the potential pairing, suggesting they would make a strong match.
In the memoir, Flanagan reflects on her mindset at the time: “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.” She emphasizes that Argent did not align with her preferences, pointing to his breakfast habits of consuming four Greggs sausage rolls, in contrast to her attraction to fitness-focused, sporty men.
The pivotal moment occurred in her hotel room, where they lay on the bed as he stroked her back. Flanagan recalls a brief surge of intensity: “There was a brief moment of heat between us which felt… weird. We were in my hotel room, lying on the bed while he was stroking my back – I think it could have spilled over then, but there was something holding me back. And when that moment passed, it was like it was done.”
Reflections on Sexuality and Reality TV
Flanagan also shares her internal struggles during her 2024 appearance on Celebs Go Dating. She discusses grappling with confusion over her sexuality, which led to candid conversations filmed for the show. However, anxiety about the public reveal prompted her to request edits.
She explains the emotional weight: “The thought of this footage going out on national telly got me really depressed, like I’d massively let her down as a daughter.” The production team accommodated her wishes, carefully removing the segments to respect her privacy.
Her time on Celebs Go Dating drew further attention when she admitted to having a boyfriend at home, Robbie Talbot. This revelation shocked her co-stars and experts, with dating guru Paul Brunson stating: “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 responded by expressing a desire to remain for personal growth: “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.” She later confirmed her feelings for Talbot: “I think I am in love with him.”
Personal Life Updates
Following her 2022 split from ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, with whom she shares children Matilda, 9, Delilah, 6, and Charlie, 4, Flanagan began dating former non-league footballer Robbie Talbot, 45. The couple went public in 2024 but parted ways in May 2025.
