Ross Richard “Rylan” Clark is not built for the background. At 37, the towering Essex-born presenter with the trademark smile, sharp wit, and sky-high quiff has become one of the most recognizable faces on British television — and one of its most divisive. Whether he’s anchoring daytime shows, joking through travel documentaries, or weighing in on some of the touchiest subjects in British politics, Rylan has turned himself into a lightning rod for attention, praise, and criticism.

In late 2025, his schedule is relentless. He’s wrapping the third series of his hit BBC travel-history show with Rob Rinder, fronting reality and entertainment projects, promoting his cookbook memoir, and defending himself over comments about immigration that triggered a wave of broadcast complaints and breathless headlines. He’s also, for the first time since his high-profile divorce, genuinely happy in his personal life — thanks to a new relationship he’s no longer hiding.

His guiding motto, repeated in interviews and across his own platforms:
“Be you, do you.”

Given everything he’s been through, he seems to mean it more than ever.

From Stepney Kid to Saturday-Night Fixture

Rylan’s journey to national fame didn’t begin in a glossy studio. Born October 25, 1988, in Stepney, East London, and raised in Essex by a single mother who worked in school catering, he knew early on that he wanted something more than a quiet, predictable life.

He has often spoken about growing up feeling different: insecure about his looks, weight, and sexuality, and unsure how to “fit” into the expectations around him. He came out as gay at 16 and worked a variety of jobs while chasing the dream of performing.

His first attempts at stardom didn’t exactly land. At 12, he auditioned for S Club Juniors and was rejected. In his late teens and early twenties, he performed as a drag act — “Ronnie Rylan” — in Chelmsford clubs, where he learned how to handle rowdy crowds, keep a show moving, and never let embarrassment win.

The name “Rylan” itself, he says, came from a baby-name book he once flipped through on a modeling job. It stuck — and eventually became a brand.

The X Factor Audition That Changed Everything

In 2012, Rylan finally got the opportunity he’d been fighting for: an audition for The X Factor.

He arrived with bleached hair, a dramatic outfit, and a theatrical rendition of Des’ree’s “Kissing You.” Judge Gary Barlow famously called the performance “strange.” Nicole Scherzinger, however, saw something else — charisma, risk-taking, and a spark that could not be taught.

Rylan didn’t win the show. He finished fifth. But in the long run, it didn’t matter. Once he left the stage sobbing tears of relief and gratitude, producers and viewers understood what he brought: unpredictability, emotion, and pure entertainment.

That audition launched a television career that would span late-night spin-offs, prime-time panel shows, hosting gigs, and more.

Big Brother, Breakfast TV, and a Rolodex of Hosting Credits

Within a year of his X Factor exposure, Rylan was everywhere.

Big Brother’s Bit on the Side (2013–2018)

He took over as host of the late-night Big Brother recap show, turning what could have been a formulaic segment into an unpredictable mix of jokes, confrontations, and surprisingly heartfelt fan interactions. He won a TRIC Award for Best Entertainment Presenter in 2014.

This Morning

He became a fixture on This Morning, initially as a showbiz reporter and later as a guest co-host. His easy banter with presenters like Rochelle Humes and his willingness to laugh at himself made him a favorite among many viewers.

Strictly & More

Along the way, he fronted:

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (2019–2022)

The Xtra Factor (2016)

Up Late with Rylan (2016)

A revival of Ready Steady Cook (2020–2021)

Supermarket Sweep (2019–2020)

He also branched into acting and voice work, with appearances in:

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

Doctor Who

animated film roles

And because that still wasn’t enough, he launched Air Rylan, a travel vlog series that captured his global adventures with his signature humor.

Behind the Smile: Divorce, Burnout, and a Mental Health Crisis

For all the wisecracks and glitter, Rylan has never shied away from talking about pain.

In 2016, he married Dan Neal, a former Big Brother contestant. The two became one of the most visible same-sex couples on British reality television. But by 2021, the marriage had ended, and Rylan’s carefully balanced world fell apart.

In candid interviews and in his 2024 book Ten: The Cookbook, Rylan shared how the breakdown of his marriage led to a severe mental-health crisis. He described dramatic weight loss, time in hospital, and a period when he stepped away from high-profile radio work to recover.

He has since spoken openly about therapy, the dangers of losing oneself in a relationship, and the importance of seeking help.

“I tried to change myself to match someone’s energy,” he reflected in a 2025 interview. “It nearly broke me. Never again.”

Today, he works closely with mental-health organizations, using his platform to encourage others to reach out before they reach a breaking point.

Rylan the Advocate: LGBTQ+ Visibility and Mental Health

Rylan’s openness about his struggles has made him a key voice in conversations about:

LGBTQ+ acceptance

the pressures of fame

the toll of online criticism

the reality of hitting bottom and getting back up

Through his podcast and public speaking, he makes it clear: mental health challenges do not disqualify anyone from success. If anything, they can deepen empathy and authenticity.

The Immigration Debate That Ignited a Firestorm

In August 2025, Rylan went from lighthearted daytime host to lightning rod when he delivered a passionate monologue on This Morning about UK immigration policy.

He criticized what he saw as inconsistent approaches to asylum and border management, arguing that it was possible to support immigration while still demanding fairness and order.

“You can be in favor of immigration,” he said, “and still want proper processes instead of chaos.”

Some viewers applauded him for speaking candidly about a difficult topic. Others accused him of oversimplifying complex issues or echoing talking points that risked heightening division.

Broadcast regulator Ofcom received a significant number of complaints following the segment, and by the end of August, Rylan announced that it would be his “last day” filling in on the program for the time being.

Fans were split:

Some called him “brave” for voicing an unpopular view.

Others expressed disappointment and said they expected more nuance from a host they admired.

Rylan stood by his comments, clarifying that his concerns were about fairness, not rejection of people seeking a better life.

“You can upset people by saying what you believe needs to be said,” he summarized later. “But intention matters.”

As of November, Ofcom has not publicly concluded any investigation, leaving the episode as a flashpoint in Rylan’s recent career.

“Dating Naked,” History Specials, and the Never-Ending Debate Over Taste

As if the immigration row weren’t enough, Rylan’s other projects have kept him firmly in the center of public debate.

Dating Naked UK

His reality series, featuring contestants getting to know each other with minimal barriers (including wardrobe), returned for a second season. Promotional teasers emphasizing “no filters” and “love without layers” drew sharp reactions:

Critics called it tasteless or unnecessary.

Supporters said it was cheeky fun and oddly wholesome, thanks in part to Rylan’s light-touch hosting style.

Behind the scenes, he revealed that producers once joked about him hosting the show without clothes as a publicity stunt — an idea he firmly declined.

Witches of Essex

His pivot into history programming with Witches of Essex, exploring historical witch trials in his home region, received mixed reviews. Some enjoyed the blend of scholarship and personality; others thought the tone was too playful for the subject matter.

Still, the show reinforced Rylan’s desire to stretch beyond his original reality-TV box.

New Love in Florence: “Love at First Gelato”

For all the work and controversy, Rylan’s personal life appears to have found a healthier balance.

In November 2025, he made his new relationship public, posting photos from Florence with model Kennedy O’Reilly. The captions hinted at romance and gratitude — not a full announcement, but enough to make it clear that Rylan is no longer single.

Friends say he has approached this new chapter with far more caution and self-awareness, taking advice from those closest to him not to rush and not to lose himself again.

After all he’s been through, he seems determined to honor the lesson he now repeats often:

“If you twist yourself into knots trying to be what someone else wants, you’ll snap. Better to be alone than disappear.”

A Career Still Rising, Even With the Turbulence

Despite the backlash, debates, and headlines, Rylan shows no sign of fading from the public eye.

He continues to:

film new episodes of Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour with Rob Rinder, exploring history, travel, and culture with humor and heart

develop follow-ups to Ten: The Cookbook, blending recipes with stories from his life

post travel vlogs and personal updates to his YouTube channel

participate in panel shows, voiceover work, and specials

He remains a sought-after host because he offers something rare in fame-saturated media: an unapologetic willingness to be fully himself, flaws and all.Rylan Clark in 2025: Not Neutral, Not Quiet, and Not Done

Rylan Clark is many things:

a reality-TV alum who outlasted the format that launched him

a broadcaster who can switch from silliness to seriousness in a heartbeat

a mental-health survivor who refuses to hide the hardest chapters of his story

a man still navigating how to use his voice responsibly in a country divided on almost everything

He is, most of all, still standing — taller than ever, even when the headlines are not kind.

Whether you cheer him on or cringe at his latest outburst, one thing is undeniable: he has become part of the fabric of modern British TV. And as long as there is a camera pointed in his direction, Rylan seems determined to do the one thing he’s always promised:

Be you.
Do you.
And let the rest work itself out.