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Helen Flanagan opens up on love life and makes 'sexy' dream man admission

EXCLUSIVE: Former Corrie babe Helen Flanagan has revealed the exact qualities she wants in her next boyfriend as the TV beauty admits shes searching for the 'love of her life'

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Showbiz

Carly Hacon Showbiz Reporter

15:02, 28 May 2026Updated 14:37, 31 May 2026

[Helen]

Helen made the cheeky admission(Image: INSTAGRAM/hjgflanagan)

Helen Flanagan has revealed exactly what she wants from her next relationship as the actress admitted exactly what she is searching for in the "love of her life".

The former Coronation Street star opened up about her strict dating standards while reflecting on her experiences finding romance in the spotlight following appearances on Celebs Go Dating and Ex on the Beach.

Helen, 35, confessed she still believes in true love and wants her next partner to completely sweep her off her feet. Speaking candidly about her ideal man, she exclusively said in collaboration with Paddy Power: "Theyd have to be the love of my life because Im such a romantic. I love love. Theyve got to be sexy, really kind, and completely in love with me."

[Helen is now single]

Helen is now single(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

But looks alone are not enough for the mum-of-three, who admitted peace and emotional maturity are now top priorities after years of stress and relationship drama. Helen explained: "Someone with a genuinely good soul and a kind heart.

"I really dont like arguing or drama anymore. Ive had enough stress in my life, so I want someone who communicates well and brings peace rather than conflict."

The actress split from footballer Scott Sinclair in 2022 after 13 years together and has since been open about navigating dating and single life in the public eye. Last year, she also split with Robbie Talbot who she dated for around one year.

Helen also compared her experiences starring on two very different reality dating shows, admitting Ex on the Beach left her feeling "ancient".

[Helen]

Helen recently starred on Ex on the Beach

While Celebs Go Dating gave her breathing space away from the cameras, she said Ex on the Beach was a much more intense environment because contestants were together constantly.

She explained: "Celebs Go Dating and Ex on the Beach are completely different experiences. On Celebs Go Dating you can come in and out, so you get little breaks, whereas on Ex on the Beach youre fully in it the whole time.

Helen said her previous stint on Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! helped prepare her for being stuck in close quarters with strangers, but even she found the atmosphere overwhelming at times.

She laughed: "Ive done Im A Celebrity before, so Im used to being in confined environments, but Ex on the Beach felt very intense because you cant escape it."

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The TV beauty also joked she felt far older than many of her fellow castmates during filming.

"I also felt ancient in there. Honestly, I felt like everybodys mum," she admitted. "I was always drinking tea, having baths, and using the pool to do swimming lengths while everyone else was partying."

Despite feeling slightly out of place among the younger stars, Helen said she formed strong friendships during the experience and especially bonded with the female cast members.

She added: "But I got on well with everyone, especially the girls. Im a girls girl, so I found it easy to make friendships there."

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