When Christine McGuiness and Helen Flanagan were spotted leaving The Pride of Britain Awards it seemed like an unlikely friendship at first, but it's been reported they've been supporting each other in recent months.
Now a source has exclusively told OK! that Christine, 35, has decided to take 33-year-old Helen "under her wing" and they've formed a solid friendship.
They said: "They know each other already from the area and within social circles and have common interests. Christine has really taken Helen under her wing."
And the reason why the pair have bonded, it seems, is that they both know what it's like to go through a heartbreak so publicly and face scrutiny in the spotlight.
The former Coronation Street star and Christine both split from their partners, TV star Paddy McGuinness and footballer Scott Sinclair, last year leaving them each co-parenting their three children each with their partners.
"They have both been through splits in the public eye, and Helen is grateful for Christine's guidance," our source continued.
Although heartache is something that might have started their friendship, the fact they're both solo parents is what could have solidified it.
Our source explained: "There's no doubt about it, they've both been through a lot but their main focus is on the children."
Model Christine, who was crowned Miss Liverpool in 2007 and is mum to Penelope and Leo, nine, and seven-year-old Felicity, has previously shown she knows exactly how Helen feels and has often supported her publicly on social media.
Helen recently took to Instagram to post a series of images of herself and her kids – Matilda, eight, Delilah, five, and two-year-old Charlie. She penned: "Don’t know what I’d do without them.
"Tired, hungover mum doing her best in this crazy life x."
And Christine was quick to respond about how she could relate to the actress' situation.
She wrote: "My three are already on school holidays, I’ve done more than ever with them on my own, it’s exhausting but the best thing in the world. What would us mummy’s do without our little crew."
Helen also opened up about suffering from 'mum guilt' after cancelling plans for her three children in order to ensure they can see their dad.
The actress candidly explained on Instagram how she's trying to juggle everything and said: “It’s such a juggle. I’ve cancelled all the kids’ classes at the weekends. Why I’ve done that is with Scott living away, the kids would have activities and he wasn’t having full time with them."
She continued: “He’d drive five hours there and back just to see them and the kids just want to see their dad when he’s down. If I free up the weekends then they can go and see their dad for the weekend.”
The mum-of-three explained how she wanted her children to "do well with their activities" but also see their father.
“Obviously I want the kids doing well with their activities so I’m trying to move everything to during the week,” Helen continued. “I’ve got to fit in all the classes they like doing and I feel bad because Charlie isn’t doing swimming lessons, and it’s a constant juggle.”
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