Helen Flanagan on who she's backing to win I'm a Celebrity

The former Coronation Street star had two stints on the show, finishing seventh in 2012 before taking part in a special South Africa all-stars spin-off 11 years later. 

Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, is the latest in a series of Corrie actors and actresses to appear on the ITV show, and Helen is backing her former co-star to thrive. 

“Alan is someone I've known since I was really little, and will be great in the jungle,” she said in an interview associated with WhichBingo. 

“When you're in Coronation Street; there’s such a social aspect of being part of the show and you meet people from all walks of life.  

Helen when she starred in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa (Image: ITV) “You hang around for such a long time with people of different ages and different backgrounds, so it really puts you in good stead for appearing on a show like I’m A Celeb.  

“I definitely think it’s done that for me in my life. So, Alan will be great socially, and he's got a lot about him as a person too. 

“He knows it's hard. He will definitely be able to do the trials and is a very grounded person as well. He'll be a team player and will smash it.”    

Flanagan will also be keeping a close eye on Tulisa Contostavlos, revealing her affection for the N-Dubz singer. 

Alan Halsall in I'm a Celeb (Image: ITV) She said: “I love Tulisa. I have seen lots of her social media stuff; I know her, and she's a really lovely girl. 

“I think she will do fab in it and is genuinely a nice person as well.”  

Appearing on I’m A Celeb can be a punishing ordeal, and the 34-year-old admits to being “absolutely horrendous” on the first show. 

However, we saw a completely different version of the former Corrie star in South Africa, showing her resilience to take on the famous Bushtucker Trials in a much calmer and controlled manner compared to 11 years previously. 

“I really love the jungle now,” she continued. 

“I remember when I first did it at 22, and I was absolutely horrendous. I'd get memes sent through by all my family and friends of some embarrassing pictures of me. 

“But I then went back to do the South Africa show almost two years ago, and I smashed the trials. I felt like I had made my peace with it.” 

Tulisa in I'm a Celebrity (Image: ITV) Helen’s most recent reality TV experience came on Channel 4’s dating show Celebs Go Dating where she caused a stir by revealing she already had a boyfriend whilst appearing on the programme.

He was confirmed to be Robbie Talbot from Liverpool – who she brought onto the show - and the reality TV star has warmly reflected on her experiences. 

She said: “I loved it and have some great memories of the show, as I was myself. When you do reality shows, you have to be yourself.  

“I think it can be a little bit difficult as well, because it's so different doing reality TV shows compared to acting. 

Helen when she appeared on Celebs Go Dating (Image: Channel 4/E4) “You're hiding behind a character as an actress. Whereas, when you do reality TV, you are being yourself. So sometimes, it can be challenging because you're putting yourself out there for the public to comment on you as a person.  

“But I genuinely loved it and it was nice to bring my boyfriend on the show. One of the reasons why I wanted to do that, was to show that it's a healthy relationship.  

“I've previously sat watching Celebs Go Dating the year before as a single mum with three children and I thought to myself, 'Am I going to have a healthy relationship?'. I didn't think I'd have a boyfriend for a really long time.  

“For me, it was nice to show all the single mums that you can have a really nice relationship; you’ve got to be true to yourself if you do a reality show.” 

Helen admits she is now yearning for a return to acting and highlighted the importance of sharing her personal journey on social media to portray an accurate representation of herself to the world. 

Helen is backing her Corrie co-star (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

“I'd love to do more acting, as I really do miss it. But I have to work things around my children as well,” she explained. 

“I love working on social media too and have been working on it properly for about seven years now. It's something that I do really enjoy, and it’s empowering to have your own voice.  

“You have your own kind of sense of control when you have your social media, but I sometimes have a love-hate relationship with it. 

“Sometimes I feel it's not good for us to constantly be on our phones all the time and I worry for the younger generation in the sense that social media makes us constantly compare ourselves to others. 

“It can be bad for your mental health. I hope that this will improve for both children and adults in the future.”