Helen Flanagan, the 35-year-old former Coronation Street actress, shares a candid account of a near-romantic encounter with TOWIE star James Argent in her new memoir, Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie.
Near-Intimate Moment on Celebrity Super Spa
Flanagan and Argent co-starred in the 2013 reality series Celebrity Super Spa, alongside figures like chefs Rusty Lee and John Burton-Race, actor Jody Latham from Shameless, and Most Haunted‘s Yvette Fielding. During filming, the pair grew close, sparking romance rumors.
In her book, Flanagan describes a tense moment in a hotel room where the chemistry nearly escalated. She admits to liking Argent a great deal but notes he was not her typical partner. Producers on the show encouraged the potential pairing, suggesting they would complement each other well.
Flanagan writes: “I was too mixed up over Scott and I didn’t even know if I actually fancied Arg although I did like him a lot. He definitely wasn’t my usual type—I usually went for sporty guys who were into their health and fitness whereas Arg would eat four Greggs sausage rolls for breakfast. I think he was probably more into me than I was him, but there was a brief moment of heat between us which felt… weird.”
She recounts lying on the bed as Argent stroked her back, sensing the situation could intensify, but something held her back. Once the moment passed, she felt it was over.
Reflections on Celebs Go Dating and Personal Life
Flanagan also opens up about her time on Celebs Go Dating in 2024, where she grappled with confusion over her sexuality. She discussed these feelings on camera but later requested the producers edit out the segments to avoid disappointing her mother.
She explains: “The thought of this footage going out on national telly got me really depressed, like I’d massively let her down as a daughter. Thankfully, the producers at the show were understanding and they agreed to edit those scenes alongside me, something they did with great care, removing the parts completely where I opened up about my sexuality.”
During the show, Flanagan stirred controversy by admitting she had a boyfriend at home, Robbie Talbot, a former non-league footballer. This revelation, after confessing she thought she was in love with him, led to accusations of wasting time. Dating expert Paul Brunson stated: “Helen has not only wasted our time, but all of the dates’ time. We need to hear the full truth of why she has kept this from us. And if we are not happy with her response, it is time for her to leave the agency.”
Flanagan proposed staying for therapy sessions despite not dating. She began her relationship with Talbot, 45, after splitting from fiancé Scott Sinclair, 36, in 2022. The couple shares three children: Matilda, 9; Delilah, 6; and Charlie, 4. Flanagan and Talbot parted ways in May 2025, a year after going public.
