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 as bosses reportedly helped to cover up the secret relationship with the ex-Morecambe striker.
Despite sources claiming Robbie has been on set while Helen filmed the dating show, which follows a group of single celebrities looking for love, it didn’t stop the soap star from kissing a date called Luke in one episode.
Appearing on the long-running series, Helen previously spoke about her dating struggle after splitting from ex fiancé Scott Sinclair.
A source told The Sun: ‘Helen tried to keep the relationship under wraps because of Celebs Go Dating. But that’s become difficult as their feelings have grown for each other. It came to a head when she was quizzed by the dating agents about why she was failing to pursue connections on the show.
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 as bosses reportedly helped to cover up the secret relationship with the ex-Morecambe striker (pictured together at Helen’s 34th birthday party)
‘The one rule of CGD is stars must be single. But E4 bosses were desperate to keep her, so found a way to write Robbie into the show.
‘Sources on set have seen him filming alongside Helen. While it’s not known how E4 will justify the fakery, viewers will feel they’re trying to pull the wool over their eyes.’
MailOnline have contacted Celebs Go Dating and Helen’s representatives for comment.
Earlier this week it was revealed the actress was joined by former professional footballer and coach Robbie Talbot, 44, at her 34th birthday party.
Helen looked happier than ever as she hit the dancefloor with Robbie and he was seen picking her up and spinning her around.
A source told the publication: ‘Helen’s absolutely smitten. They look so good together. She deserves to be happy after everything she’s been through recently.
‘She’s tried to keep things out of the public eye, but that’s become difficult as their feelings have grown for each other.
‘Helen made no secret of her new relationship at her party, but it is still early days.’
Despite sources claiming Robbie has been on set while Helen filmed the dating show, which follows a group of single celebrities looking for love, it didn’t stop the soap star from kissing a date called Luke in one episode
Making a mockery of the long-running series, Helen previously spoke about her dating struggle after splitting from ex fiancé Scott Sinclair; pictured in 2019
A source said: ‘The one rule of CGD is stars must be single. But E4 bosses were desperate to keep her, so found a way to write Robbie into the show. Sources on set have seen him filming alongside Helen’
MailOnline has contacted Helen’s representative for comment.
It comes after Helen was stood up on the latest episode of Celebs Go Dating and the episode prompted viewers at home to speculate she may be ‘turning 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 celebrity singletons were required to attend a masked mixer and were challenged to get to know some of the attendees.
However, whilst waiting for her date, Helen received a call from dating agent Anna Williamson, 43, who revealed her date was going to be a no-show.
Anna told Helen: ‘I’m just taking a phone call from Yus and I’m afraid to say he’s really unwell, he’s not going to be able to make it to the date today I’m afraid.’
The former Corrie actress seemed downhearted by the news that her date was not coming and viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to blast her dating game.
One viewer wrote: ‘Oh, Helen it’s not the kids that’s a turn 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 gotta 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 admitted she felt ‘invisible’ during her relationship with the footballer as she fears no man will ever love her again.
It comes after Helen was recently stood up on Celebs Go Dating and the episode prompted viewers at home to speculate she may be ‘turning 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
Talking to the dating agents Anna and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, on Celebs Go Dating, Helen candidly explained: ‘So I was with my ex… for about 13 years and we split about two years ago.’
‘I think it was just we weren’t right or compatible any more. I always used to feel quite invisible with Scott as if I was fighting for his attention. The arguments we would have were just really sad.’
Helen also confessed she fears no man will ever love her again due to her being a single mum.
Struggling through her tears she continued: ‘I don’t know if I feel like anyone’s going to really love me.’
‘I know my ex treated me bad but I knew he really loved me and I just feel like I don’t know if because I have three kids if any man is going to see me as anything more than just sex.’
‘I think it is my insecurity of being rejected. or a guy thinking “oh she’s fit but I’m never gonna wife her because she’s got three kids”.’