Outraged Celebs Go Dating viewers have accused Helen Flanagan of “doing the show just for publicity” after Tuesday night’s episode aired.
The former Corrie star, 34, told furious Celebs Go Dating experts she has a “secret boyfriend” – footballer Robbie Talbot, 44 – in the latest instalment.
In shocking scenes she revealed she is ‘in love’ with him despite continuing on the Channel 4 show.
This sparked a furious backlash from fans who accused her of being dishonest on the show and said her participation in the series was a “waste of time” and a “publicity stunt”.
They wrote on X: ‘Helen just wanted to be on TV #famouscelebrities’,
Outraged Celebs Go Dating viewers have accused Helen Flanagan of “doing the show just for publicity” after Tuesday night’s episode aired.
The former Corrie star, 34, told furious Celebs Go Dating experts she has a “secret boyfriend” – footballer Robbie Talbot, 44 – in the latest instalment.
‘Helen should return the #CelebsGoDating fee.’
“What a waste of time on Helen’s part. Why go on a show when you have someone else at home? #CelebsGoDating.”
‘They need to add in these contracts that if a celebrity is found to be already dating someone, the payment is deducted. #celebritiesdating.’
“Ah Helen, I really liked you but you were clearly just looking for some exposure and publicity. What a waste of time #CelebsGoDating.”
‘Helen Flanagan: ‘I’m really honest, I’m really honest!’ And she still has a boyfriend? You’re protesting too much… Oh my God, Louise! … It seems like she’s just signed up for publicity in an attempt to gain relevance.’
“Wasn’t Helen kissing her date like last week? But she has a boyfriend? #CelebsGoDating.”
‘Helen only joined to be on telly, what a waste of time, you join a dating show looking for a date and you already have a boyfriend, why join in the first place? #CelebsGoDating.’
In the series, Helen has so far kissed a handsome bachelor after they’ve been on several dates together, before telling him he wasn’t the right one for her.
In shocking scenes she revealed she is ‘in love’ with him despite continuing on the Channel 4 show
This sparked a furious backlash from fans who accused her of being dishonest on the show and said her participation in the series was a “waste of time” and a “publicity stunt”.
On Tuesday’s episode, Helen and the rest of the celebrities put their skills to the test in a tense game. This led to Helen telling the truth to experts Paul Carrick Brunson, Anna Williamson and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, putting an end to the light-hearted game.
She said: “Unfortunately, I compare everyone to him and that makes things really difficult for me when I’m dating someone.”
In the series, Helen has so far kissed a handsome bachelor after they’ve been on several dates together, before telling him he wasn’t the right one for her.
But it wasn’t until weeks into filming that Helen was forced to confess her secret romance, leaving experts stunned into silence.
Her confession comes after reports that she has become close to former footballer Robbie while filming the show.
Fans will soon get to see the drama unfold in upcoming episodes as she opens up more about her relationship with Robbie.
In Tuesday’s episode, Helen and the rest of the celebrities put their skills to the test in a tense game.
This led Helen to tell the truth to experts Paul Carrick Brunson, Anna Williamson and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, putting an end to the light-hearted game.
She said: “Unfortunately, I compare everyone to him and that makes things really difficult for me when I’m dating someone.”
Anna, stunned, intervened: “Excuse me, do you have a boyfriend? Why hasn’t he told us?”
Helen continued: “My feelings have become stronger and more intense. In fact, I can see something really lovely with this boy at home. I think I’m in love with him.”
The new flame hasn’t stopped the former Corrie star from appearing on the E4 show, as bosses have reportedly written her relationship with the former Morecambe striker into the E4 show, for the first time in the series.
A spokesperson for the show said producers found out about her new love while she was filming and asked her to be transparent with agents.
Helen and Robbie met with officers and it was decided that Helen would no longer date members of the public – developments that will reportedly be shown from episode 10 onwards. The sun.
Sources had previously claimed that despite the fact Robbie was on set with her 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.
A Celebs Go Dating spokesperson said: ‘During filming of Celebs Go Dating, executive producers discovered that Helen Flanagan was having a relationship outside of the CGD process. Once this came to light, Helen was asked to be transparent with agents and fellow celebrities during her next day of filming.
‘As per the show’s guidelines, all celebrity contestants must be single. After discussing the situation, it was decided that Helen and her partner Robbie would meet with agents to assess their compatibility, and Helen would no longer date members of the public. These developments will be featured on the show from episode 10 onwards.’
Anna previously revealed that Helen came incredibly close to being kicked off the show after breaking one of the agencies’ rules.
Talking about the juicy series, Anna told The sun:Helen, I just adore her.
‘What I will say about her though, and I don’t want to spoil anything, is that Helen has the most unexpected plot twist we’ve had in the history of Celebs Go Dating.
“Two weeks ago, Helen was almost expelled from the agency. She did something very serious that goes against all the agency’s rules.”
Appearing on the long-running series, Helen previously spoke about her dating struggles after splitting from ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair.
A source told The Sun: ‘Helen tried to keep the relationship a secret because of Celebs Go Dating. But that became difficult as their feelings for each other grew. It came to a head when dating agents questioned her about why she wasn’t pursuing hookups on the show.
‘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.
It was revealed that the actress was joined by former professional footballer and coach Robbie at her 34th birthday party this summer.
Helen looked happier than ever as she took to the dance floor with Robbie and was seen picking her up and spinning her around.
Helen previously spoke about her dating struggles after splitting from ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair; pictured in 2019
Helen shares children Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and son Charlie, three, with her ex, and last week admitted she felt “invisible” during her relationship with the footballer.
A source said at the time: “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.’
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.