Helen Flanagan Faces Six-Month Driving Ban After Failing to Identify Speeding Driver in Court at Wirral

Helen Flanagan, a former Coronation Street actress best known for her role as Rosie Webster, has been banned from driving for six months following a court ruling.

This decision comes despite her claims that losing her driving privileges will cause significant hardship due to her rural living situation and family responsibilities.

The Case Behind the Ban

Flanagan, 34, appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on January 15, 2025, after failing to identify the driver of her £66,000 Audi Q7 when it was caught speeding twice in June 2024.

Her ex-footballer boyfriend, Robbie Talbot, had been driving the car during the incidents, but Flanagan failed to provide the necessary details to authorities.

She already had six points on her license, and the additional points for the speeding offenses brought her total to 18.

This placed her above the 12-point threshold, which typically results in an automatic driving ban unless the court finds exceptional hardship.

Flanagan’s Plea for Leniency

During the hearing, Flanagan pleaded with the magistrates for leniency, explaining that her remote location near Bolton, Greater Manchester, made it nearly impossible for her to manage without a car.

The actress, who is a full-time mother to three children, Matilda (9), Delilah (6), and Charlie (3), stated that she relied on her vehicle to take them to school, nursery, and other essential appointments.

She mentioned how the nearest shop was a 10-minute drive away and admitted that she couldn’t afford the cost of a taxi.

“I would really struggle without a car,” she said, explaining that she lived in an isolated area and did not have the financial means to rely on taxis for every errand.

Family and Mental Health Challenges

Flanagan also shared that she had a difficult relationship with her ex-partner, Scott Sinclair, and that it would be challenging for him to help with transport arrangements.

She also mentioned her mental health struggles, including post-natal depression, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD, and how she needed the car to attend therapy sessions in Birmingham.

Her plea was further strengthened by her argument that a driving ban would significantly impact her ability to maintain her children’s relationship with their father and manage her mental health treatment.

Court’s Decision and Aftermath

Despite her arguments, the magistrates were not convinced that a driving ban would cause exceptional hardship.

They ruled that the impact on her and her family, while significant, did not meet the high threshold required to avoid a ban.

Flanagan was sentenced to six penalty points for each offense, bringing her total to 18 points, and was banned from driving for six months.

She was also fined £2,000, with additional costs of £800 and £110 for prosecution fees.

Flanagan, visibly upset by the outcome, left the courtroom without responding to press inquiries.

However, she did offer to pay the fine in monthly installments of £1,000.

A Difficult Chapter in Flanagan’s Life

This case marks another challenging moment in Flanagan’s life, following her recent struggles with finances and her relationship.

In 2023, Flanagan ended her 13-year relationship with former footballer Scott Sinclair, with whom she shares her three children.

The actress has openly discussed her battles with mental health, especially after the birth of her first child, and has become an advocate for mental health awareness.

Though her professional life may be fluctuating, Flanagan remains committed to her children and their well-being, which she consistently mentions as her top priority.