Helen Flanagan has broken a months-long social media silence to explain to fans that she has been going through struggles with her mental health.
The former Coronation Street star explained that she’d had a ‘really bad reaction’ to some ADHD medication, which triggered psychosis.
The 33-year-old actress also said that she had been ’emotionally struggling’ after splitting with Scott Sinclair, with whom she shares three children.
Helen Flanagan wrote on Instagram that she’s had ‘a lot of difficult things going on’, explaining why she has stepped back from the public eye since January.
She also said that she was unaware that she was in the psychosis, which lasted for days.
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It left her unable to continue with theatre rehearsals and instead Helen stayed at home with her family to recover.
Helen also said that she’d decided to try the medication after struggling with her mental health throughout December and January, so that she could ‘cope better with being a working single mum-of-three’.
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But the Bury-born beauty then assured her one million followers that she was in a ‘really good happy place now’ and ‘feels lighter’.
She wrote, alongside a fresh-faced selfie on Instagram: “Had a few months off from social but I’m back now. So basically I really struggled mental health wise December/ January. I felt really not great in my head over Christmas and I didn’t really feel that much different when I took the kids away for new year.
Helen Flanagan has been off social media since January. Credit: Instagram
“I had a lot of difficult things going on, things I just can’t talk about on Instagram.
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“I felt terrible, so I was due my theatre tour which I was excited about so when I came back from holiday I thought it was best for me to take some medication so I’d feel better and be able to cope better with being a working single mum of three and I was emotionally struggling with the break up from the father of my kids but I had a really bad reaction though to the medication ( an ADHD medication) and it sent me into a psychosis for a few days which I didn’t know I was in. I just love my kids so much.
“This bad reaction though was a few days before rehearsals were starting and sadly I just wasn’t mentally well enough to do it.
“I was heartbroken as I’ve always been professional as an actress but i needed to stay at home and feel better for me and my kids, with the help of my amazing parents.
“I’ve always been honest on here and I feel in a really good happy place now. Therapy can be amazing and I feel like I’ve worked on myself with things that were quite tough to me but I feel lighter now. Anyway sending love and please be kind.”
She’s been flooded with well-wishes since sharing the very personal update.
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Her former Corrie co-star and on-screen sister Brooke Vincent wrote: “Nice to see you back my girl. Love you lots xx”
Another Corrie legend, Cath Tyldesley, said: “Beautiful girl love you lots you are so brave . Health comes first. Well done for sharing as I’m sure it will help others xxxx.”
Another person said: “I read the word struggle, but I felt the word strength. There’s so much strength in seeking help, especially as a busy, working mama. You don’t even need to explain.”
Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million
Thomas Melia
Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million, according to the BBC.
The British high school classic has seen strength after strength following the new BBC reboot.
Waterloo Road first reached our TV screens in 2006, where we saw Salford’s-own Chelsee Healey burst onto the scene as the fiery Janeece Bryant, a disruptive but loveable student who always found herself getting into trouble.
Since then, the school-based drama has gone on to see 14 seasons and more than 200 episodes, with an eight year interval in between, befoore returning to our screens again in 2023.
And with a new season dropping just yesterday (10 September), the love for the show certainly isn’t over yet.
The show has been filmed in Greater Manchester since airing, with three seasons retreating to the Scottish lowlands of Greenock in Scotland.
The first seven series of the TV drama were filmed in the former Hill Top Community Primary School in Rochdale, with the filming location for the most recent season taking place at a former Manchester College building in the city centre.
In new statistics provided by the BBC, it was revealed that the production of the first three new series generated more than £9.5 million for the broader North West area, and at least £6.5 million for Greater Manchester’s economy alone.
“It’s a series that helps nurture and champion local talent and directly supports the economy in the North West,” commented Charlotte Moore, who is the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, “and it’s also part of a much bigger story.
“The BBC now invests more than 60% of its TV budget outside of London – supporting hundreds of production companies and suppliers.”
You can catch Season 14 of Waterloo Road on BBC one every Tuesday at 9pm, or all episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Open UK casting call for new Harry Potter TV series announced
Thomas Melia
It may have been just over a year since rumours of the show had been confirmed, but now the search is officially on.
Harry Potter is one of the most successful and cherished franchises on screen, paper, and stage, and the book series by JK Rowling is the world’s number one best-selling in history, with over 600 million copies distributed across the globe.
The new original series adaptation will be produced by the American television network, HBO, known for its involvement in huge dramas like Game Of Thrones and Euphoria.
Currently, the show is looking for UK actors to audition for one of the three wizarding friends.
These roles were originally played by the now Hollywood-greats, Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley.
Recently, Francesca Gardiner – known for her work on Killing Eve and Succession, was announced as the showrunner, and she will oversee all the writing and producing of the show, with full creative control.
In the description for these leading roles, a statement reads: “We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. For every role please submit qualified performers, without any regard to ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.”
Although the statement pulled from the casting call is open to all actors, with no concern over their protected characteristics, this new original series may be affected by controversy surrounding the author, JK Rowling.
She has previously been criticised for her opinions on gender identity, especially in her condemnation of transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community.
Currently, producers are only considering children who are between the ages of 9-11 in April 2025, and the only way to officially apply is through the CastIt website here.
Applications must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian.
Daisy Jackson -
29th March 2024 
