Helen Flanagan reveals Coronation Street boss’s warning to stars who do I’m A Celeb and Alan Halsall’s secret advantage
FORMER Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has revealed what she thinks of Alan Halsall’s chances of being crowned king of the jungle – and the brutal advice she was given by Corrie bosses.
Actress and reality TV star Helen, who starred on I’m A Celeb in 2012, has spoken out about the blunt words of warning from ITV soap chiefs.
In an interview hosted by WhichBingo.co.uk, the 34-year-old told The Sun: “Alan will be great, because I’ve known Alan since I was like a little girl.
“So I was in Corrie when I was nine and I remember Alan from there. I remember filming a wedding with him. So, yeah, Alan’s great.”
She added: “I think what’s great about being in Coronation Street as well is you learn to be really good with a lot of people.
“It makes you a people’s person because you’re dealing with actors of different ages, from all different kinds of backgrounds.
“You’re around so many different people, so he’ll be great in the camp. I think when you’re on Coronation Street that’s a really good thing as well, because it’s such a social thing being in the green room and things.”
She added: “Alan’s very, very, very down to earth and he’s very much a dad, isn’t he, and he’s got a little girl. He will know it’s difficult and he will be able to do the challenges.”
Speaking about the Corrie bosses, she said: “Because I’m A Celebrity has been going on for so long, so many people have done the jungle out of Coronation Street.
“They let you know, ‘Look, it’s really hard. Don’t go in there thinking it’s going to be easy, because it’s going to be really, really tough and you’re going to have to really dig deep’. But Alan’s definitely up to the job.”
Helen’s revelations come after she has admitted she wants to return to the Cobbles.
The actress and reality star last appeared on the soap screen in 2018, before going on maternity leave with second daughter Delilah.
While she’s been on tele since, including Celebs Go Dating and I’m A Celebrity All Stars, Helen is longing to reprise the role of Rosie Webster.
She told The Sun previously: “I would absolutely love to go back to Coronation Street.
“I live now where I did growing up and I’ve moved around so much, you know, with my ex, football and stuff, so I’m back.
“But to be able to do Coronation Street, they would have to ask me back.
“Also if I went back and stuff, I’d want to be in a good storyline and what have you.”
Perhaps Helen’s biggest storyline was when she had a controversial affair with teacher John Stape, who was in a relationship with Fiz at the time.
The villainous teacher went onto later kidnap her in a jealous rage. He kept her locked in his gran’s farm house attic but was saved by Fiz.
Corrie stars who have been on I'm A Celeb...
Alan Halsall (Tyrone Dobbs) 2024
Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) 2022
Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) 2021
Beverley Callard (Liz Mcdonald) 2020
Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) 2019
Sair Khan (Alya Nazir) 2018
Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Brown) 2017
Craig Charles (Lloyd Mullaney) 2014
Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster) 2012
Anthony Cotton (Sean Tully) 2011
Nigel Havers (Lewis Archer) 2010
Chris Bisson (Vikram Desai) 2003
I’m A Celebrity continues on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.