Coronation Street star ‘bullied’ by classmates for being on ITV soap

Helen Flanagan has become a household name as a result of her Corrie role (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images for the NTA’s)

Coronation Street’s Helen Flanagan has opened up about being bullied as a child.

The star portrayed the role of Rosie Webster in the ITV soap on and off from 2000 to 2018. The star left the cobbles to go on maternity leave, and hasn’t returned since.

Due to the fact Helen was a youngster when she joined the show, some of her classmates ended up bullying her as she divided her time between school and the soap.

It’s this experience that has impacted Helen’s decision on choosing a school for her daughter Matilda, who she shares with footballer and ex-partner Scott Sinclair.

Helen has three children with her ex Scott Sinclair (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Helen admitted recently that the bullying she suffered when she was a child got so bad, she ended up moving to a private school for girls.

‘Picking a secondary school for my little girl can be quite daunting because I remember I did struggle with a lot of bullying as well in my first school, because I was on Coronation Street. I’m naturally quite a soft person as well, and I did really really get picked on’, she told the Daily Star.

When Helen moved schools, she ended up doing half of the time due to commitments at the ITV soap.

She added: ‘I got extra support and I did tutors as well at Corrie. I had to be in education until I was 16 and had to do four hours a week. I think I was the only one who was a bit of a geek out of the Corrie lot. But I actually did quite like it.

Helen played Rosie Webster, daughter of Sally and Kevin (Picture: ITV)

‘But because I got picked on an awful lot, this is now why as a mum, I worry. My little girl she is a sweetie and soft like me, but you don’t want to put your insecurities onto your children.’

As a result of becoming a household name through the soap, Helen is often asked about whether she’d ever reprise her role.

After previously admitting that she wouldn’t go back due to her children being young, Helen now feels she’s at a point where she’d be able to juggle motherhood with the busy life at the soap.

Rosie hasn’t been seen since 2018 (Picture: ITV)

‘I can’t say too much, but it could be possible that I could go back. I get on with everyone there, there’s nothing personal going on’, she said in a chat with The Sun.

‘It changed my life so much and my loyalty is with them. I feel like Rosie’s a part of me.’

Helen also touched on how she believes Rosie is an important character to have on our screens, saying ‘they do need me. They do need Rosie.’

Helen Flanagan split with her partner Scott Sinclair in November 2022 after a 13 year relationship. They share three children together called Matilda, Delilah and Charlie.