Helen Flanagan opens up on surprising reason she turned down Strictly - and why she's ready now
Helen Flanagan has revealed the surprising reason why she turned down BBC's Strictly Come Dancing during a recent podcast - but she's open to joining the dance competition now
Helen Flanagan has opened up about the unexpected reason she declined a spot on BBC Strictly Come Dancing and why she's now reconsidering her decision. The former Coronation Street actress has previously featured on multiple reality TV shows such as Celebs Go Dating and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.
In a candid conversation on the Elle Sera podcast with host Elissa Corrigan, Helen delved into topics ranging from motherhood and her career to her diagnosis with her long battle with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
The star shared her desire to return to acting and also expressed an interest in participating on BBC Strictly, saying she feels more ready and mature this time around.
Host Elissa asked Helen if she would ever do any reality TV again, to which Helen replied: "I don't think so. I mean I'd absolutely love to do Strictly at some point. Yeah, I mean I'd be a rubbish dancer, don't get me wrong."
"I remember actually I was offered to do Strictly Come Dancing when I think I was 22 and I was offered Strictly Come Dancing or the jungle and I for some reason chose the jungle. I mean it worked out well for me in the end," she revealed.
"I actually think though sometimes, I mean I was very young, I think the older the better when you do reality shows. "I think sometimes when you're really young, you don't deal with things the same."
"I'd love to do Strictly Come Dancing at one point. I'd absolutely love to, but it's such a popular show. You know there's so many people that would love to do it," she continued.
Back in 2012, Helen appeared in ITV's I'm A Celeb - the same year she left Corrie - at the age of 22. Although she revealed she was "absolutely destroyed" after her first appearance in the jungle, admitting she was "horrified".
In 2023, she opened up about her time down under for the show, she said: "I just got absolutely destroyed. It was just ridiculous. I was just like, 'Oh, I'll be fine. I'll chill in my bikini, make some friends, it will be good for me'…"
"I'd watched a few episodes but I didn't watch it in detail. I was only just YouTubing things when I was on my plane, then I was thinking, 'It won't be that bad," she admitted.
She added: "I was horrified. I'll never forget it. When I arrived at the camp there were rats everywhere.
"I'd never seen a rat. I was just absolutely thrown. I felt sick. I was so scared. I was just horrified by everything."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
24 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Alex Jones' four-word comment as The One Show co-star issues wedding update
Alex Jones' four-word comment as The One Show co-star issues wedding update News of the TV star's wedding was announced during the latest episode of BBC's The One Show A BBC presenter delightedly updated fans with news of their co-star's wedding during a recent broadcast of The One Show. Nikki Fox, the broadcaster and documentary-maker, celebrated her nuptials last week with partner Dave in a dazzling ceremony. Presenting the Watchdog segment on Wednesday's episode, Matt Allwright announced jubilantly: "One last thing we've got to mention, this is a deal that everybody can get behind. The legend, my beautiful friend Nikki Fox got married last weekend." Studio applause followed his announcement, and Matt teased that Nikki would return "to tell us all about it" in the following week. The One Show host Alex Jones chimed in with praise, saying, "Aw she looks beautiful," before adding "and Dave of course." Nikki, who serves as the BBC's disability correspondent, conveyed the joyous news by posting endearing photos and videos from the memorable day on Instagram, beautifully captured by a content creator. The One Show celebrated Nikki Fox's wedding (Image: BBC The One Show/@contentbyhayley ) Article continues below Shared via Instagram showing Nikki in a stunning white dress and surrounded by loved ones at an intimate Buckinghamshire event at her parents' house, they expressed "There are no words to explain the love between these two - it was honestly such a JOY + an honour to capture a wedding day so very magical." The content creator behind the visuals, Hayley, expressed gratitude for being part of the day, posting: "What a day - I'm so grateful to have shared it with you both." The couple received an outpouring of well-wishes, with Strictly Come Dancing star Dr Punam Krishnan commenting: "Huge congratulations to you both. You look stunning Nikki." Alex Jones and Vernon Kay led the congratulatory messages (Image: BBC The One Show ) Fans joined in the celebrations, as one expressed: "Wow! Absolutely stunning and sooo lovely. Super job and looks like everyone was very happy and well taken care of." Another shared their joy stating: "Oh how absolutely delightful! So happy for you xxxx." Article continues below Previously, Nikki had announced her engagement on The One Show, playfully remarking: "Well, sorry fellas, but on Friday I got engaged to my lovely partner Dave." At the time, Alex chimed in with supportive words: "I'll help you plan, I love a wedding!" The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC The One Show star shares wedding update with viewers live on air
The One Show's Matt Allwright shared the exciting news that his co-star Nikki Fox had tied the knot with her partner The One Show presenter Matt Allwright shared news of co-star Nikki Fox's wedding after the BBC star and documentary-maker tied the knot in a stunning ceremony with her partner, Dave. Broadcasting this joyous update during Wednesday's episode, Matt, who hosts the Watchdog section, enthused: "One last thing we've got to mention, this is a deal that everybody can get behind. The legend, my beautiful friend Nikki Fox got married last weekend." Upon this announcement, those in the studio erupted into cheers, as Matt suggested that Nikki would be back on the show "to tell us all about it" the following week. Alex Jones, co-host of The One Show, chimed in saying: "Aw she looks beautiful, and Dave of course." Nikki shared the heartwarming occasion on social media, accompanied by endearing photos and videos. The Instagram post showcased Nikki dazzling in her wedding dress amid family and friends at an intimate Buckinghamshire celebration at her parental home, exclaiming: "There are no words to explain the love between these two - it was honestly such a JOY + an honour to capture a wedding day so very magical." Expressing her gratitude for being part of the day, content creator Hayley added: "What a day - I'm so grateful to have shared it with you both." Nikki and Dave were inundated with well-wishes, including a heartfelt congratulations from Strictly Come Dancing's Dr Punam Krishnan, who exclaimed: "Huge congratulations to you both. You look stunning Nikki." Fans also joined in the celebration, with one writing: "Wow! Absolutely stunning and sooo lovely. Super job and looks like everyone was very happy and well taken care of." Another person chimed in with: "Oh how absolutely delightful! So happy for you xxxx." Nikki broke the news of her engagement on The One Show in January last year, cheekily telling viewers: "Well, sorry fellas, but on Friday I got engaged to my lovely partner Dave." Host Alex had then offered Nikki some assistance with the wedding planning, saying: "I'll help you plan, I love a wedding!"
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Helen Flanagan shares scary health condition as lips turn numb and swollen
Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has revealed the her recent health scare as she revealed she has discovered an allergy to cherries, which left her throat itchy and lips numb Former soap actress Helen Flanagan has shared her recent health scare, after discovering she is allergic to something she 'never knew' about – until now. The former Coronation Street star, who is best known for her role as Rosie Webster on the soap, shared her surprise with fans in a candid video on her Instagram story – as she was confronted with strange symptoms after going about her daily business. Wearing a blue jumper and minimal makeup in the video, the mum-of-three, 34, tells her fans: "So I've literally just picked up the kids from school, did the food shop today and Delilah was like, 'Oh Mummy I want some cherries'. So..." Helen, who recently wowed in risqué lingerie snaps, is then interrupted by one of her three little ones as she turns and tells them: "Hang on a second, baby" before the tot can be heard in the background saying: "Mama!" "So I erm..." she then cuts the camera and restarts the video, explaining to fans: "So yeah Delilah did the food shop and she was like, 'Oh Mummy I want some cherries'. "They were just playing in the garden so I just cut some up and I thought, 'Oh these cherries look nice' so I just had one and, honestly, straight away I was like..." she then coughs before she says while rubbing her throat: "This is really itchy here, my throat started itching and, like, my lips have literally, like they fill like numb and really, really swollen. "But I never knew that I was allergic to cherries," she says with a cough before the camera then cuts out. According to the NHS, symptoms of an allergic reaction can include swollen eyes, lips, mouth or throat amongst a string of other symptoms. The website also advises to dial 999 if "your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen". The star's health scare comes after her recent split from her boyfriend Robbie Talbot after a year of dating. The mum-of-three had hinted at wanting a child with the former footballer, but has since had a "change of heart," according to friends. The pair were living together at Helen's stunning Bolton mansion but, Helen later revealed Robbie had moved out as she felt it was the best move for her three children, who 'missed' their dad Scott Sinclair. Helen and Scott split in 2022 after 13 years together. However, it was later reported Helen and Robbie "wanted different things in life". Meanwhile, the star also recently opened up on her split from her long-term partner Scott, with whom she shares her three children with. Helen said last year on Charlotte Dawson's Naughty Corner podcast: "We don't like each other." She added: "I still love him very much, I care about him deeply, but we don't like each other. We don't like each other at all, we don't get on. I do know that Scott—he'd never admit it—cares about me too, and he does love me."
