Helen Flanagan has grown close to a new man, former footballer Robbie Talbot, despite appearing on Celebs Go Dating.
The new flame hasn’t stopped the former Corrie star from appearing on the E4 show, with bosses reportedly helping cover up the secret relationship with the former Morecambe striker.
Despite sources claiming Robbie was on set while Helen was filming the dating show, which follows a group of single celebrities looking for love, that didn’t stop the soap star from kissing a date named Luke in one episode.
Appearing on the long-running series, Helen previously spoke about her dating struggles after splitting from ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair.
A source said The sun:Helen tried to keep the relationship a secret thanks to Celebs Go Dating, but that became difficult as their feelings for each other grew. It all came to a head when dating agents asked her why she wasn’t looking for hookups on the show.
Helen Flanagan has grown close to a new man, ex-footballer Robbie Talbot, despite appearing on Celebs Go Dating
The new flame hasn’t stopped the former Corrie star from appearing on the E4 show, with bosses reportedly helping cover up the secret relationship with the former Morecambe striker (pictured together at Helen’s 34th birthday party).
‘The only rule of CGD is that stars must be single. But E4 bosses were desperate to keep her so they found a way to get Robbie onto the show.
“Sources on the set have seen him filming alongside Helen. While it is not known how E4 will justify the farce, viewers will feel they are being misled.”
MailOnline has contacted Celebs Go Dating and Helen’s representatives for comment.
Earlier this week it was revealed that the actress was joined by former professional footballer and manager Robbie Talbot, 44, at her 34th birthday party.
Helen looked happier than ever as she took to the dance floor with Robbie and was seen picking her up and spinning her around.
A source told the publication: “Helen is absolutely smitten. They look so good together. She deserves to be happy after everything she’s been through recently.”
‘She has tried to keep things out of the public eye, but that has become difficult as their feelings for each other have grown.
‘Helen didn’t hide her new relationship at her party, but it’s still early days.’
Despite sources claiming Robbie was on set while Helen was filming the dating show, which follows a group of single celebrities looking for love, that didn’t stop the soap star from kissing a date named Luke in one episode.
Poking fun at the long-running series, Helen previously spoke about her struggles in dating after splitting from ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair; pictured in 2019
A source said: ‘The only rule of CGD is that the stars must be single. But E4 bosses were desperate to keep her so they found a way to get Robbie onto the show. Sources on set have seen him filming alongside Helen.’
MailOnline has contacted Helen’s representative for comment.
This comes after Helen was stood up on the latest episode of Celebs Go Dating and the episode prompted viewers at home to speculate that she could be “putting men off”.
The actress made her debut on the dating show last week alongside singer Jamelia, Gogglebox’s Stephen Webb, Love Island’s Chris Taylor and Made In Chelsea’s Tristan Phipps.
During the episode, the famous singles had to attend a masked gathering and were challenged to meet some of the attendees.
However, while waiting for her date, Helen received a call from dating agent Anna Williamson, 43, who revealed that her date would not be showing up.
Anna told Helen: ‘I’m getting a phone call from Yus and I’m afraid he’s very unwell, he won’t be able to come to today’s appointment, I’m afraid.’
The former Corrie actress looked dejected by the news that her date wouldn’t be coming and viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to criticise her dating game.
One viewer wrote: “Oh Helen, it’s not the kids that’s putting you off, it’s talking about your ex.”
While another added: “Helen from Celebs Go Dating has a bad case of verbal diarrhoea.”
However, some fans took to Instagram to show their support for the star, commenting: “You just have to love Helen.” “She’s so lovely, bless Helen.”
Helen shares children Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and son Charlie, three, with her ex, and this week she admitted she felt “invisible” during her relationship with the footballer because she fears no man will ever love her again.
This comes after Helen was recently stood up on Celebs Go Dating and the episode prompted viewers at home to speculate she could be “putting men off”.
Helen shares children Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and son Charlie, three, with her ex, and this week admitted she felt “invisible” during her relationship with the footballer.
Speaking to dating agents Anna and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn on Celebs Go Dating, Helen candidly explained: ‘I was with my ex… for about 13 years and we split up about two years ago.’
“I think we were just not compatible or okay anymore. I always felt pretty invisible around Scott, like I was fighting for his attention. The arguments we had were really sad.”
Helen also confessed that she fears that no man will love her again because she is a single mother.
Fighting back tears, she continued, “I don’t know if I feel like anyone is really going to love me.”
‘I know my ex treated me badly, but I knew he really loved me and I feel like I don’t know if because I have three kids, any man will see me as anything more than just sex.’
“I think it’s my insecurity about being rejected, or a guy thinking ‘oh, she’s fit, but I’ll never marry her because she has three kids.'”