Former Coronation Street actress turned glamour model, Helen Flanagan has admitted that she fancies a leap back into acting, with Downton Abbey being her firm favourite show to join.

Helen played Dozy Rosie Webster on the hit ITV soap for twelve years from 2000 to 2012 before leaving the show to move to Wales to be near her footballing boyfriend Scott Sinclair.
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Earlier this year, following former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan’s stint in the jungle for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, we reported that Helen had allegedly claimed she would never return to the soap as she blamed it – in part – for causing her to suffer from depression and anxiety.

However, a report in The Sun’s TV Biz today states that Helen would consider returning to the cobbles, and if she were to reprise the role of Rosie Webster, she’d like to see her character come back to Weatherfield with a baby in tow!

Of the prospect of a return to the long-running serial drama, Helen told the paper, “You can never say never… Read more & comment »

Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan – who of course recently starred in this year’s I’m A Celebrity – has ruled out a return to the ITV soap, having blamed her role on the show for causing her depression.

Helen of course played air-head Rosie Webster, a role which often required her to act in a manner that Helen apparently found demeaning.

It was of course widely reported last year that Helen had suffered debilitating panic attacks while on the show, and it was claimed that’s why she left.

A Corrie source told the Mirror, “There was a lot of disappointment on the set when Helen came out and said what she did, especially as people looked after her on the show… Read more & comment »

It’s been revealed today that Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh is taking a couple of months off from the show and her role as Hayley Cropper.

Julie requested the leave so that she can star in new stage play Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster, which is being held at the Manchester Royal Exchange.

In it, Julie will play the role of grieving mother Sylvia in a dramatization of the real and horrific events surrounding the murder of 20 year old Sophie Lancaster, a student who was battered to death for being a goth.

Taking to Twitter recently, Julie wrote, “Right that’s me done. Bye bye Weatherfield till October! #bitoftheatre #sicksinmouth.” Read more & comment »

As far as surprise couples go, we can’t help feeling that this one could end up being a fairytale romance, as two of the most beautiful people in soap land, Maria Connor and Jason Grimshaw, become an item in Coronation Street.

Maria (Samia Ghadie) has been notoriously unlucky in love ever since her teenage years when she had Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) stolen from her by Fiz Stape (Jenny McAlpine), but things could be set to change in the young crimper’s love life!
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Well, we knew it was coming of course, but it seems to have rushed up on us…

Helen Flanagan has now filmed her final scenes as Rosie Webster, and I fear the world will never be the same again.

I don’t like change, I’m really not a fan – as per my post about Blue Peter earlier – and now, not only is Kat Kelly taking Becky McDonald off to pastures new, Helen as Rosie will be no more after the New Year. Me no likey.

However, the Daily Mail – who took the above picture of Helen’s last day of filming – report that Rosie will go out “with a fashionable bang” in her last scenes.

Helen has of course played the role of Rosie for twelve years, and was just a little girl when she began work on the Street… Read more & comment »

And a snog from Rosie Webster makes Jason Grimshaw crash his van!

The Daily Mirror reports today that when US iconic actor Robert Vaughn temporarily joins the cast of Corrie this week, he’s being given the honour of using the late Betty Driver’s dressing room.

A show insider told the paper that since Betty died in October, nobody has used her dressing room at Granada studios, however, the show’s bosses felt it fitting that a star such as Vaughn should use the room.

Robert – who of course previously starred in cult American drama The Man From UNCLE – will play the role of wealthy yank Milton, who arrives in Weatherfield looking for Roy Cropper’s mum Sylvia (Stephanie Cole) who he met on a recent cruise.

We’ll see him on our screens for the first time in the New Year.

The show source said, “It’s an honour to get Betty’s room – she is still sorely missed… Read more & comment »

There are busy times ahead for the Websters as we move ever nearer to Christmas, but their festive season is set to be marred by sadness and anger…

The anger will come to a head when, on the day of her wedding to Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson) Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) breaks down and reveals that she’s in love with Amber Kalirai (Nikki Patel).

Unsurprisingly, Sian isn’t terribly impressed with this news, or with being ditched at the altar, and she’ll flee Weatherfield a heartbroken girl.

However, when Sophie goes to see Amber to tell her that she’s in love with her, a horrified Amber will tell her that their kiss and recent closeness means nothing more to her than “a laugh”, which understandably cuts Sophie to the quick… Read more & comment »

The Daily Mail today reports that troubled Corrie actress Helen Flanagan had a minor collision yesterday when she bumped into a car as she drove home after a day’s filming.

Helen, who of course plays feisty Rosie Webster, recently announced her decision to leave the show, citing the fact that she doesn’t really like her character anymore as the reason for her impending exit.

We’ll see Helen as Rosie for the last time in February next year, but yesterday, she was filming scenes for her on-screen sister’s wedding to her lesbian lover Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson).

However, as we reported yesterday, Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) will be jilted at the altar when Sian finds out she’s cheated on her.

But getting back to Helen’s fender bender, having tweeted from the set that she was “tired” after beginning filming at 5am, she reversed into the back of a Vauxhall Corsa.

The owner of the car, told bemused bystanders, “Rosie Webster’s just crashed into me!” Read more & comment »

It’s been speculated in the media that Corrie star Helen Flanagan made her decision to leave the show due to the crippling panic attacks that she’s suffered of late…

However, during an interview with Hello! magazine, Helen said that the real reason she wants to go is because she no longer likes her character, Rosie Webster.

Helen, who’s played the part of Rosie for over a decade said, “I didn’t enjoy playing her when she went through a promiscuous phase.

“I’d always felt I would leave by the time I was 21, but when I made up my mind, it wasn’t even as if I had a choice.

“I just knew instinctively. After 12 years playing Rosie, it is time to be myself.”

Helen came back to the show last month following a three-month break, during which she underwent a radical change of image by cutting her hair short and dying it blonde. Read more & comment »

Let me begin by saying that I totally get the whole suspension of disbelief thing for the sake of exciting drama.

That said, there is, for me at any rate, a big difference in suspending my disbelief and plot holes big enough to drive a truck through…

And the latest John Stape-Rosie Webster kidnap storyline is an example of one of those plot hole riddled storylines that I find hard to swallow.

As we saw in last night’s episode, John – who’s played by Graeme Hawley – posing as a prospective buyer, made an appointment via an estate agent to meet Rosie (Helen Flanagan) at her boyfriend Jason Grimshaw’s (Ryan Thomas) flat.

John called himself “Mr Chips”, which, just to veer off a tad, reminded me of the tragic case of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh who went missing in 1986 after arranging to meet a potential buyer who called himself Mr Kipper. You can read more about Suzy – who’s never been found – here.

But to get back to my point, why, oh why, didn’t John – who wants his admission to facilitate his wife Fiz’s release from prison – just make a written confession and post it to police?

Or better yet, a video taped confession? Read more & comment »

Troubled Corrie star Helen Flanagan has reportedly moved back into her parents’ home in Bolton as she tries to overcome debilitating panic attacks.

21 year old Helen – who’s dating Swansea footballer Scott Sinclair – has also reportedly told the show’s bosses that she won’t renew her contract when it ends in March of next year.

However, the Daily Mail states that the show’s producer, Phil Collinson, has said he’s a “huge fan” of Helen and her character Rosie Webster, and will therefore do what he can to convince her to stay.

Of her panic attacks, Helen recently said, “Anyone who has ever suffered from them knows they are very scary.

“I did have one at work and everyone was very understanding but I didn’t know what might have caused it.

“I am trying to work out what triggers them so that I can start to deal with them and move forward… Read more & comment »

Corrie star Helen Flanagan may leave the show due to the number and intensity of panic attacks that she’s recently experienced whilst at work.

Helen, who of course plays Rosie Webster, has told the show’s bosses that she won’t renew her contract when it ends next March.

The Daily Mirror states, “Producer Phil Collinson will do all he can to convince Helen – who has been on the show for 12 years – to stay.”

A show insider said, “It’s no secret Helen has been struggling recently.

“She’s been working hard and the stress has got to her. Experiencing those panic attacks has really shaken her up badly.

“She has said she doesn’t want to renew her contract. Corrie may have to face up to The Street without Rosie Webster.” Read more & comment »

Corrie star Helen Flanagan has been telling the Daily Star about her character Rosie Webster’s forthcoming second kidnap ordeal…

As fans of Corrie will know, John Stape (Graeme Hawley) kidnapped Rosie in 2008 and held her prisoner in his mother’s house.

And now, he’s set to do it again as he returns to Weatherfield determined to clear wife Fiz’s (Jennie McAlpine) name so she’ll be released from prison.

However, his plan goes awry when he tries to abduct Rosie for a second time, after planning to spill the truth about the murders he committed to her.

As we reported earlier, Rosie’s dad Kevin (Michael Le Vell) will chase John in his car, which results in Stape crashing.

Of playing Rosie’s second kidnap ordeal, Helen said, “The thing with my character is that she is great fun… Read more & comment »

Coronation Street’s Rosie Webster is swapping the cobbles of Weatherfield for the bright lights of London as she pursues her dream of becoming a famous top model.

Her exploits will feature in a three part online exclusive drama which will launch on her own website www.justrosie.co.uk on September 26th.

The website will feature hilarious make-up and life tips from Weatherfield’s very own ‘next top model’. Rosie, played by Helen Flanagan, also has her own facebook page with photos and updates.

ITV1 viewers will see Rosie talk about her plans in Corrie episodes on September 26th and head to London with builder boyfriend Jason to appear as a model on ITV1’s Lorraine… Read more & comment »