Helen Flanagan hits back after she’s criticised for her six-year-old daughter’s birthday dinner outfit
HELEN Flanagan has clapped back at critics after being publicly questioned over her six-year-old daughter Delilah’s fashion choices.
The actress, 34, had shared a video of herself and her three kids online before heading out for a birthday dinner when she was met with the mean dig.
In the footage, Helen showed off each of her children’s outfits – including little Delilah’s.
The youngster had opted to wear a plain black T-shirt and matching cotton shorts to her mum’s celebratory meal.
In contrast, Helen and her eldest daughter Matilda, nine, were wearing dressier ensembles. Youngest of the bunch, three-year-old Charlie, was also wearing a smart shirt.
Commenting on the video, one of Helen’s Instagram followers – going by the name of Glam Nan – cruelly asked: “Why are you all dressed up apart from Delilah?”
Helen shot back: “I let my children choose what they want to wear and what they feel comfortable and happy in x.”
Former Coronation Street star Helen shares her three children with her ex-fiancé, professional footballer Scott Sinclair.
The pair split in 2022 following a 13-year romance and Helen is now set to try and find love again on E4 show Celebs Go Dating.
But the star’s main priority is her kids and she seemed determined to enjoy her birthday meal on Wednesday night with the trio in tow.
Helen even bravely ran the risk of further mum-shaming by admitting they would be bringing their electronic devices along for the evening.
In the clip, which was shared to her one million Instagram followers, Helen asked her children: “Guys, are we going to be really good for mummy’s birthday dinner?
“So no falling out or screaming.”
After being interrupted by Charlie picking up her wine glass, she added: “So, guys, come here. So Matilda and Delilah, you can have your Nintendos.”
Helen then told Charlie: “You can have the iPad.”
She continued: “This has to sound like the best parenting ever. But you know, just have to get through the dinner.”
But rather than hate, Helen was met with praise from the rest of her fans for her honesty.
One told Helen: “You do what you can to make things easier – they are smiling clearly happy and obviously loved so .”
Another added: “iPad check Nintendo check. I am exactly the same. A meal with no dramas. I don’t know how my parents coped with no devices and 4 of us! Beautiful Family! X.”
And a third wrote: “The fact you let your children be themselves is freaking amazing!! Your one amazing mummy .”
Celebs Go Dating 2024 cast
Celebs Go Dating is soon welcoming a new bunch of famous faces in search of love. Here is where you may have seen some of them before...
- Chris Taylor: Contestant on the fifth series of Love Island
- Helen Flanagan: Star of Coronation Street and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
- Ella Morgan: Participant and first transgender bride on the eighth series of Married At First Sight UK
- Jamelia: Singer and actress who has recently appeared in Hollyoaks as Sharon Bailey
- Stephen Lustig-Webb: Former star of Gogglebox
- Tristan Phipps: Cast member of Made In Chelsea
- Lauryn Goodman: Famed for her bitter feud with footballer ex Kyle Walker
Helen will make her Celebs Go Dating debut when the E4 series kicks off on Monday August 19.
However, the show’s dating coach Anna Williamson has since revealed that the mum-of-three is ‘lacking in self-esteem’.
She has described Helen as “the poster girl” of newly-single mums who spent their 20s in long-term relationships.
Helen has been warned by Anna that she needs to ‘work on her chat’ while on a date with a man.