'I was down and it was very intense': Helen Flanagan admits she suffered suicidal thoughts before welcoming daughter Matilda... as she prepares for Coronation Street comeback

By Kate Thomas for MailOnline

Published: 19:01 EST, 6 October 2016 | Updated: 11:54 EST, 7 October 2016

She's a proud mother to daughter Matilda and is set to make her grand return to Coronation Street later this year.

But Helen Flanagan has confessed things haven't always been easy for her, revealing she spiralled into a deep depression after quitting the ITV soap in 2012 due to suffering panic attacks at work.

The 26-year-old actress bravely revealed that she even fantasised about crashing her car and killing herself at her lowest ebb - until the arrival of her little girl saved her.

Scroll down for video 

Tough time: Helen Flanagan has admitted she spiralled into a deep depression after quitting Coronation Street in 2012 , and thought about killing herself at her lowest point 

Tough time: Helen Flanagan has admitted she spiralled into a deep depression after quitting Coronation Street in 2012 , and thought about killing herself at her lowest point 

Helen told The Sun: 'One day I was driving into the ITV studios and I thought, "Wouldn’t it be great if I just crashed my car now and it was all over?"

'I’ve suffered from depression. I was down and it was very intense - I don’t think I was very well.'

The TV star admitted her depression was the main reason she decided to leave Coronation Street. 

She had secretly stopped taking her medication for her ADHD and bipolar disorder at the time, and was struggling to cope.

Doting mother: Citing her daughter as her inspiration, Helen said she had changed 'for the better' since Matilda's arrival because she has given her a purpose in life

Doting mother: Citing her daughter as her inspiration, Helen said she had changed 'for the better' since Matilda's arrival because she has given her a purpose in life

But Helen turned things around for the sake of Matilda, now 15 months, who she raises with partner Scott Sinclair.

Citing her daughter as her inspiration, Helen said she had changed 'for the better' since Matilda's arrival because she has given her a purpose in life.

The star has been managing her conditions with the help of weekly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and has even managed to come off her medication with the help of her doctor.

Helen will reprise the role she made famous at the end of the year - with her first scenes airing in February 2017. 

Happy families: Helen and her footballer partner Scott Sinclair have ditched the glitz and glamour of the showbiz circuit to focus on their family 

Happy families: Helen and her footballer partner Scott Sinclair have ditched the glitz and glamour of the showbiz circuit to focus on their family 

She's back! Rosie Webster is set to bring her own very special brand of carnage back to the cobbles when Helen returns to Coronation Street

She's back! Rosie Webster is set to bring her own very special brand of carnage back to the cobbles when Helen returns to Coronation Street

Helen, who played the character for 12 years, is due to start filming scenes at the end of the year.

The vivacious brunette will come bouncing back into her mother and father's lives when she arrives back in Weatherfield from Miami alongside younger sister, Sophie.

Speaking about her return to the soap, Helen said: 'I'm so excited to be returning to Coronation Street and being part of the Webster family again.'

Corrie boss Kate Oates said that it was the 'ideal time' to bring the character back, explaining: 'The Websters have missed Rosie and so have we.

'With Sophie away on holiday with her sister it seemed like the ideal time to bring Rosie back home with her for a visit.

The Webster returns: Having left the soap in 2012, the actress, 26, will reprise the role she made famous at the end of the year - with her first scenes airing in February 2017 

The Webster returns: Having left the soap in 2012, the actress, 26, will reprise the role she made famous at the end of the year - with her first scenes airing in February 2017 

'We are delighted that Helen is as keen explore what Rosie has been up to away from the cobbles as we are.'

The character was a regular fixture on the Northern soap from 1990-2012, and was played for nine years by Emma Collinge before Helen took over the role in 2000.

The eldest daughter of mechanic Kevin and local snob and gossip Sally, Rosie has caused her own fair share of drama on the cobbles.

After rebelling and becoming a goth, Rosie embarked on a disastrous affair with teacher John Stape which resulted in her being kidnapped.

Turning her eye to modelling and fame Rosie became a favourite among the Street's male population, though she found time to out father Kevin's affair with best-friend Tyrone Dobb's wife, Molly.

Upon leaving the soap in 2012 Helen had a stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2013 before taking a career break to start a family.

Remember him? The eldest daughter of mechanic Kevin and local snob and gossip Sally, Rosie has caused her own fair share of drama on the cobbles - including an affair with John Stape

Remember him? The eldest daughter of mechanic Kevin and local snob and gossip Sally, Rosie has caused her own fair share of drama on the cobbles - including an affair with John Stape


Comments (76)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now