Helen Flanagan eyes up role in BBC show following ITV Coronation Street return 'snub'

Former Coronation Street favourite Helen Flanagan teased the idea of joining one of the soap's rival BBC shows.

The actress disclosed that she is actively seeking new acting opportunities after ITV executives failed to reach out about reprising her beloved Coronation Street character Rosie Webster.

The former soap star has now turned her attention to a rival broadcaster, expressing enthusiasm for joining BBC school drama Waterloo Road.

"I think I'd be good in Waterloo Road," she told the Daily Star. "I'd probably play either a mum or a teacher. I think that would suit me well."

Despite her interest in the BBC production, Ms Flanagan made clear her affection for Weatherfield remains strong.

"I really want to go back, but they just have not asked me," she admitted. "If the cobbles come calling, I would love to. I am literally just down the road, but sadly, they have not yet."

Ms Flanagan, now 35, first appeared on the ITV soap in 2000 when she was just nine years old, going on to portray Rosie for close to two decades.

Her most recent professional venture saw her treading the boards for five months, an experience she thoroughly enjoyed.

"I was in theatre for five months and I've had a bit of downtime since then, but right now I'm looking for my next job," she explained.

The actress is determined to prioritise her craft moving forward.

"I really want to focus on acting. I did an amazing play for a couple of months and absolutely loved it, so I'd really like to continue building on that side of my career," she said.

Ms Flanagan departed Weatherfield in 2018 when she went on maternity leave with her second child, with her character Rosie heading off to start afresh in Japan.

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Looking back at her time on the cobbles, Ms Flanagan revealed she relished the dramatic storylines the soap offered.

"I honestly loved big storylines, the juicier the better," she recalled.

However, one particular plot development left her dissatisfied – when producers decided Rosie would become a window cleaner.

"I remember not being happy when they made Rosie a window cleaner because it just didn't fit the character," she explained.

Rather than simply accepting the creative decision, Ms Flanagan took matters into her own hands by approaching the production team directly.

"I went to the producer and said, 'If Rosie's going to be a window cleaner, she's going to be a glamorous window cleaner,'" she recounted.

Her determination proved successful, with the show providing her character with distinctive pink overalls adorned with fluff.

"Everyone thought it was hilarious, but I was absolutely determined. Rosie would never wear normal overalls. I was the most glamorous window cleaner going," she laughed.

Away from her career ambitions, Ms Flanagan's personal circumstances have undergone significant change recently.

The mother-of-three has been preparing to leave the eight-bedroom Bolton property she previously shared with former fiancé Scott Sinclair, the 37-year-old footballer with whom she has daughters Matilda, 10, and Delilah, seven, plus five-year-old son Charlie.

The couple ended their 13-year relationship in 2022, with Flanagan remaining in the house she once called her "forever" home until Mr Sinclair sold it earlier this year.

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