A former Coronation Street star has fuelled speculation of a return to the show with a mysterious Instagram post featuring a throwback photo from their time on the cobbles

A former Coronation Street star has fuelled speculation about a potential return to the iconic soap with a mysterious post on social media.

Helen Flanagan, known for portraying Rosie Webster on the ITV series for more than two decades, initially stepped away from the show in 2018 for maternity leave. Helen originally joined Coronation Street in 2000, playing the role for 12 consecutive years before taking a hiatus. She later returned to the cobbles in 2017 for a brief stint.

FHelen shared a nostalgic photo on Instagram from her childhood days on Coronation Street. She captioned the post: “Ah, love this pic I found @coronationstreet with the iconic Barbara Knox. I was Matilda’s age.” Fans and friends quickly filled the comment section, reminiscing about Helen’s time on the cobbles.

One user commented, “Love this, Helen. I remember you at that age! Xx,” while another speculated whether the post hinted at her return to the show, writing, “A hint, perhaps?” A third added: “we NEED Rosie & Sophie back especially with Kevin’s upcoming storyline, you girls are such a delight to watch.”

Helen Flanagan has fueled speculation of a return to Coronation Street with a mysterious Instagram post featuring a throwback photo ( 
Image:
ITV)

The actress first appeared on the ITV soap as a child and has returned multiple times ( 
Image:
Press Association)

And a fourth wrote: “Awww. Love this picture. I miss you in Coronation Street. I am currently watching the Classic Episodes on ITV 3. Today, it was the one where Sally makes Rosie take the morning after pill, after she gets caught seeing Craig. Your acting was amazing. You are such a huge talent. You and Brooke Vincent were both fabulous. Sending lots of love xx.”

The former Coronation Street actress had been in a relationship with footballer Scott for over a decade and they welcomed three children together. Following their split, Helen spiraled into a “very scary” psychotic episode while on her dream New Year’s break in Bali with their children Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three.

Helen has decided to share photos from the trip a year on as she admitted “what a difference a year can make”. In the candid post, the TV star opened up on family fallouts, her mental health as well as financial woes. Helen shared: “This time last year: Christmas – I spent it in bed x i went to my mums for a few hours as my dad was calling me x

“I said to Scott he could have the kids ( i live really north and he lives really south) because I wanted to take the kids to Bail for ten days for new year. So I knew I had to be fair. But it really hit me out of nowhere. I said to my friends before hand it’s just a day I’ll be fine. I had bad mental health.

“My love life was a s**t show that year…. I didn’t look after my my mental health or think. I felt so s**t and sad. I felt like my whole life was f***ed up now and I had the perfect family. 13 years is a long time to be with someone. My whole 20s. I had a lot of family fall outs too and I also lost basically all my money. Me and Scott weren’t married we were engaged.

“My mental health was so bad I thought maybe my kids would be better off without me and maybe they would be better off with their dad as he’s more level headed than me. I love my kids more than words can say but when you are not well you’re not well.” Helen shared an update from this Christmas as she spent the day with her children at her parent’s house.

This time last year, Helen suffered a psychosis episode when she had a “bad reaction” to her ADHD medication. Opening up to The Mirror, Helen said she realised she was carrying unresolved trauma over the 2022 split with Scott and was diagnosed with psychosis. Helen said: “I don’t see it as a break-up, I see it as a divorce. We were together 13 years. But instead of processing it all, I threw myself into work and shut off my emotions. I just went into survival mode. Then it all came to the surface earlier this year and I was mentally and physically breaking down. It was really sad and very scary. I was seeing things and I felt like I was in danger all the time.”