In this warm and honest episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva sits down with actress and mum of three Helen Flanagan, who grew up in the public eye after landing the role of Rosie Webster on Coronation Street at just nine years old.
Helen reflects on growing up on the cobbles, dealing with bullying and online comments about her skin as a teenager, and how her time in the jungle meant people finally got to know her as Helen rather than Rosie. She also opens up about how much she loves being a mum, and the postnatal depression and postnatal OCD she experienced after having her children.
Now a single parent who has her children most of the time, Helen talks candidly about separating from her partner of 13 years, the career she put on the back burner to support his, and what it means to start again financially when you were never married. She shares why she believes every woman should have her own money and independence, how her mum and dad keep everything going, and how living with ADHD can make life admin all too easy to put off.
Looking ahead, Helen talks about focusing on her career, staying open to love, the importance of being kind to yourself, and the advice she'd give Jess as a first-time mum.
π This episode is brought to you by Polly.
If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here: π www.polly.co.uk
β±οΈ Chapters
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01:45) β Growing up on Coronation Street: becoming Rosie Webster at nine
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07:48) β Bullying, acne and growing a thick skin in the public eye
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09:15) β The jungle, and being known as Helen, not Rosie
(
11:00) β Always wanting to be a mum
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12:07) β Postnatal depression and postnatal OCD
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16:42) β How motherhood gives you strength
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17:34) β Single parenting and the support of her mum and dad
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19:27) β Why every woman needs her own money
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24:43) β Separation and becoming the main carer
(
30:11) β Putting his career first and starting again financially
(
32:36) β Health, mortality and putting protection in place
(
36:21) β ADHD, life admin and why we put things off
(
39:51) β Looking ahead: career, love and never saying never
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43:12) β Being kind to yourself and curating your feed
(
45:30) β Helenβs advice for first-time mums
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Pretty Covered, hosted by Jess Silva, is about holding space for authentic and honest conversations about life, independence, and facing the unexpected. Weβre here to help make financial protection feel simple, relatable, and empowering, because small steps today can help make a big difference when life doesnβt go to plan.
Brought to you by Polly.
Pretty Covered is a podcast brought to you by Polly, a trading style of Clark Insurance UK Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registered company name changed in July 2026. All podcasts episodes released prior to this date will state Candid Insurance Services Ltd and were correct on the date of release.
The content of this podcast is meant to be informational, and it should not be considered as financial advice. Terms and conditions may apply.