Could Rosie Webster be making a dramatic return to Coronation Street? Helen Flanagan has sparked speculation about a possible comeback seven years after her last appearance on the ITV soap. Not only has she expressed her interest in returning, but she has also shared an “iconic” idea for how it could happen.
Helen Flanagan Wants to Return as Rosie Webster
Helen Flanagan, 34, became a household name when she joined Coronation Street in 2000 as Rosie Webster. Over the years, her character became central to several dramatic storylines—including a scandalous affair and a terrifying kidnapping. However, in 2012, she decided to leave the soap, explaining that she didn’t enjoy playing Rosie, who was often portrayed as “bitchy.”
A few years later, in 2016, she briefly returned, but after her second pregnancy, she stepped away. The last time fans saw Rosie, she had landed a job presenting a game show in Japan after appearing on This Morning. She packed her bags and left Weatherfield. So, there’s still a door open for her return.
Helen’s ‘Iconic’ Idea for Rosie’s Comeback
Now, Helen has shared that she would love to return to the show. She explained that living in Bolton would allow her to work while balancing life with her children. As a single mother to Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three, whom she co-parents with ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, she believes her real-life experiences should be reflected in Rosie’s next storyline.
Helen already has a clear vision for how Rosie could return. She wants her character to be a single mother who leaves her two kids with Sally Webster while taking on a prominent role at the Rovers Return. In her opinion, this would create an exciting storyline as it would place Rosie right in the heart of Weatherfield’s drama.
Looking back at her time on the show, Helen recalled some of her most memorable moments, particularly Rosie’s affair with teacher John Stape. In 2011, Rosie had a secret relationship with John, who was dating Fiz Brown at the time. Their affair was exposed on Christmas Day when John accidentally gave Rosie a gift meant for Fiz. The scandal led to John losing his job and next, he was attacked by Rosie’s furious father, Kevin Webster.
However, the drama didn’t stop there. Things escalated when John later blamed Rosie for his downfall. He kidnapped her outside a nightclub and locked her in his grandmother’s attic for five weeks. Eventually, Fiz rescued Rosie, and John was arrested. Helen described this as one of Rosie’s most gripping storylines.
Helen Addresses Mum-Trolls
Despite her enthusiasm, Helen admitted she wasn’t officially asked to return. She mentioned speaking with her on-screen mother, Sally Dynevor, about wanting to return. But ultimately, the decision lies with the show’s producers. While Helen teases a possible Coronation Street return, she has also been in the spotlight for addressing mum-shaming trolls.
Recently, she responded to criticism after posting a video of herself posing in black lace lingerie with a suspender belt. Some social media users questioned whether a mother should be modeling lingerie. In response, Helen addressed the backlash directly. She pointed out that she had always modeled lingerie and saw no reason to stop just because she was a mother.
The controversy followed her recent openness about her personal life. Speaking for the first time about her split from Scott Sinclair, Helen admitted their relationship had become unhealthy. She also acknowledged that they had been together since they were 19, which had prevented them from growing individually.
Since the split, Helen has moved on and is now in a relationship with Robbie Talbot. Helen remains in Bolton for now, though she previously considered moving to London so her children could be closer to their father. Whether she returns to Weatherfield is yet to be seen—and only the upcoming Coronation Street spoilers can reveal the rest. Until then, stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more details.