Celebs Go Dating star Helen Flanagan has discussed her past relationship with David Haye, with whom she appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The pair were in the jungle during the 12th series back in 2012, with the duo reportedly getting together following her separation from footballer Scott Sinclair in 2022.
In Monday’s (September 2) episode of Celebs Go Dating, Helen arrived at The Agency to chat with experts Anna Williamson and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, sharing that her relationship with the former professional boxer wasn’t reported completely accurately.
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“I’d known him for 10 years,” she began. “We did a reality show together. I remember the first time, seeing him in the jungle, I was like ‘wow.’ It was quite something – it’s really hard for me to talk about [now].
“He had a girlfriend and an open relationship. I didn’t mean to fall in love with him, but I did. We did have this amazing connection together – we were like fire. It was weird – I think he does love his girlfriend and he loves me as well. It just brings me to a part in my life that was quite dark.”
Anna remarked that the relationship was reported as a “throuple” by the media, though Helen clarified the matter by saying: “No [it wasn’t]. I was in love with him. I wouldn’t have enjoyed watching the man I was in love with have sex with another woman, that’s not for me.
“I had communication with his girlfriend, but I felt very guilty. I didn’t feel nice about it all. It really upsets me because I don’t mean to hurt other people but I was just really lonely. I found it really difficult because it just happened. It’s not nice on another girl and I should’ve known better.”
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Helen later confirmed that Haye’s girlfriend had no issue with the scenario, with Anna assuring the former Coronation Street star that she had done nothing wrong. Tara also offered her own advice, saying the situation is familiar in her line of work.
“This is common,” she stated. “When people from the monogamy world partner up with someone who is non-monogamous, they realise: ‘oh, this is not for me. It’s very common. It’s not catastrophic. What he wants is valid but what you want is also valid. It’s just not compatible.”
Celebs Go Dating airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 9pm on E4.