The parents of three children who have made it big in the soap world have denied claims they are “pushy parents”.
Rachel and Chris Flanagan are the proud parts to son William, and daughters Amelia and Isabella. However, these kids are not just any normal children, as they are already well-known in the public eye.
William is the youngest of the three children, but has already made a big impact when he landed his role in Coronation Street playing Joseph Brown. His sister Isabella is in close company to William as well, as she plays the role of Hope Stape.
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Amelia, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength in her acting career – although she has not joined the cobbles. Instead, 15-year-old Amelia takes on the role of April Windsor, the bright-eyed daughter of Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale.
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Growing up in the spotlight is not easy, and the children have to factor in schooling as well as their work on the hit ITV soaps. But now, the sprogs’ parents have given fans an insight into how it is to have such well-known children.
Speaking to OK! magazine, dad Chris blasted those who try to parent their children for them. He said: “That has been a reservation, thinking people might say, ‘Here they are, pushing their kids’ or thinking we’re making a fortune from them. But that’s absolutely not the case.”
Mum Rachel also admitted that she was getting tired of the constant hate they receive for letting their children work within the industry. “I’m getting better at not feeling like I have to justify myself to people,” she said.
(Image: Instagram/ @justjude7)
“Casting directors see hundreds of kids, and it’s ridiculously hard to get a part, and it’s also difficult to last this long. So they are only where they are because of them, nothing Chris and I have done – why wouldn’t they take these opportunities?”
Their parents’ admissions come after daughter Amelia shared the hilarious way that she managed to get her part as April in the countryside soap. Joining the cast in 2014, Amelia was aged just 5 when she first appeared on our screens as the daughter of Marlon, played by Mark Charnock.
With her witty lines and bright look, Amelia immediately impressed the viewing public and became a firm fan favourite. She also received multiple gongs within her first year on the show, including three nods at the British Soap Awards and the Inside Soap Awards.
(Image: Instagram/ @justjude7)
But when asked about how she managed to bag the role, Amelia recalled how she managed to stick out – for all the right reasons. “The director asked me if I could dress up as any character in the world, who would it be?” she told OK! magazine.
“I think everyone else said ‘a princess’, but I said ‘a banana’ and I think that’s why I was chosen for the role. Within six months, April was wearing a banana costume in Emmerdale!”
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
