Helen Flannagan reveals how her 'secret boyfriend' made the first move and discusses walking down the aisle with 'the funniest man she's ever met'

Helen Flannagan has revealed how her new man chatted her up and stole her heart after she debuted the former footballer on Celebs Go Dating .

The actress, 34, surprised fans of the reality show when she revealed she had met Robbie Talbot, 44, and the pair were in a relationship.

The Coronation Street star's confession came after she was seen kissing potential matches on the reality show.

But after bringing him to meet the experts, Helen and the entrepreneur's relationship has gone from strength to strength.

In a new interview with OK! Magazine , Helen revealed that Robbie made the first move and discussed her future life goals with 'the funniest man' she has ever met.

The blonde bombshell told the publication that her new beau came and chatted her up during a chance meeting in a restaurant just days before the actress was due to film the E4 dating show,

Helen revealed that she thought the construction business owner was ballsy coming up to speak to her and remarked it was a nice change for her.

But she admitted that things got off to a rocky start after she assumed Robbie was gay because of how well dressed he was.

She said: 'I thought he was gay. He has these really white teeth and was so well dressed and smart and he was with his mate and I just assumed.'

But she went on to add that she quickly realised that wasn't the case and the couple exchanged numbers.

Despite their instant connection, Helen decided to go ahead with Celebs Go Dating as a lighthearted way to get herself back on to the dating scene after splitting from her fiancée Scott Sinclair in 2022.

Helen was with the footballer for 13 years but added that she had wanted some time for herself after their separation.

But her connection with Robbie was too intense to deny and she felt she had to come clean to broadcaster bosses.

Robbie added that he didn't have a problem with his new girlfriend taking part in the show.

He simply saw it as another acting job , telling the magazine that she had kissed people before in soaps as part of her work.

And after an initially bumpy start, the pair seem more in love than ever and are working on their blended family.

The actress revealed that Robbie is a 'great daddy' to her children and described seeing him playing with her kids was a 'huge green flag' for her.

Helen has Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three, with her footballer ex Scott while Robbie is a father to Sophia, 14, and 10-year-old Carina, who he has four times a week.

Helen explained: 'For me, the most romantic thing Robbie could do is be kind to my kids. He reads them bedtime stories. To me that means so much more than flowers or chocolates.'

The pair now have a holiday to Ireland in the pipelines where Robbie is planning on introducing her new partner to his extended family having got the seal of approval from his daughters.

And the pair are riding the wave of their new romance and have even discussed marriage and babies.

Helen said: 'I still dream about a big wedding. I want the dress, the big day, all of it. I definitely want to get married.'

And the business owner is also keen to expand his family and said he would be keen to walk down the aisle again.

The soap star candidly revealed that she wouldn't be opposed to more children and admitted that she's constantly broody.

But while Helen is excited about having another baby she revealed she felt guilty after giving birth to Charlie because she was so ill.

The actress, who suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum, explained she was very sick during her pregnancies but it hasn't put her off.

Her new partner was also open to the idea but admitted it wasn't quite on the cards yet.

And the couple, who have been seeing each other for almost a year seem to be a perfect match.

Helen explained that Robbie grounds her and she likes that he has a 'normal job' while Robbie revealed that although Helen looks amazing, she is also the nicest person he has ever met.

The loved-up pair added that all they do is laugh together and added that they're very happy at the moment.