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Key Points

Helen Flanagan has bravely shared her challenging childhood experiences of being bullied while starring in Coronation Street as a young actress. Her early television fame became a source of torment among her school peers, leading her parents to transfer her to a private girls' school for protection. Now a mother of three, Flanagan reflects on how those experiences impact her parenting and understanding of childhood dynamics. Her openness highlights the complex emotional challenges child actors can face in the entertainment industry.

Key Points: Helen Flanagan's Coronation Street Bullying Trauma Revealed

  • Helen faced intense peer bullying at age nine for TV role
  • Parents moved her to private school for protection
  • Actress now worries about her daughter's potential experiences
  • Reflects on 18-year Coronation Street career journey
2 min read

Helen Flanagan recalls being bullied in school over television fame

TV star Helen Flanagan opens up about childhood bullying from her early Coronation Street fame and its lasting impact

"I did struggle with a lot of bullying in my first school because I was on 'Coronation Street' - Helen Flanagan"

Los Angeles, June 12

Reality star Helen Flanagan once became a subject of bullying in her school over her show 'Coronation Street'.

The actress was just nine years old when she replaced Emma Collinge as Rosie Webster in 2000, but her TV career led her to be tormented by her jealous peers, reports 'Female First UK'.

Helen only escaped the torment when her parents, Julia Flanagan and Paul Flanagan, moved her to a private girls' school.

As per 'Female First UK', Helen, who played her alter ego on the ITV1 soap on-and-off for 18 years, is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper's Hot TV column as saying, "I did struggle with a lot of bullying in my first school because I was on 'Coronation Street'. I did really get picked on. My parents then moved me to a private girls' school".

The 34-year-old TV star, who has daughters Matilda, nine, and Delilah, six, as well as a son Charlie, three, with her ex-partner Scott Sinclair, admitted the bullying she endured makes her worry as a mum.

She said, "Because I got picked on an awful lot, as a mum, I worry. My little girl, she is a sweetie and soft like me".

Helen previously said she would jump at the chance to return to Weatherfield, the fictional town in Salford, Greater Manchester, where 'Coronation Street' is based, and would like Rosie to become one of the Rovers Return pub's "iconic" barmaids.

In an interview with The Sun on Sunday newspaper's Bizarre column in March, the actress said, "I'd love to see Rosie come back as a single mum, having just left her partner. She'd dump her two kids with Sally and I think she would be an iconic barmaid at the Rovers Return. Especially as I am living up north again now".

And the actress admitted putting an effort into her appearance helps her feel like her own person, rather than just her children's mother.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
It's heartbreaking to hear about Helen's experience. Bullying is a global issue - even in our Indian schools, children face similar problems when they're different. We need more awareness programs to teach kids empathy. 😔
R
Rahul S.
While I sympathize with her, moving to a private school isn't an option for most Indian families. The real solution is better school policies against bullying. Our government should make anti-bullying programs mandatory in all schools.
A
Ananya M.
As a mother myself, I completely understand Helen's worries. Indian parents also stress about bullying - especially with social media adding new dimensions to the problem. We need to teach our kids both resilience and kindness. ❤️
V
Vikram J.
Interesting to see how childhood fame affects people differently. In India, child stars are often celebrated in schools. But the pressure to maintain that success must be tough. Maybe we should focus less on early achievements.
S
Sneha P.
Her story shows how bullying leaves lifelong scars. In our Indian context, we often dismiss school bullying as "normal childhood behavior". This needs to change - trauma in formative years affects adult life significantly.

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