Television personality Rylan Clark has made light of the intense backlash he faced earlier this year, joking about being 'cancelled' during a recent pantomime performance.
The On-Stage Slip That Sparked a Joke
While performing as the Fairy Godfather in Cinderella at Southend's Cliffs Pavilion on Sunday night, the 37-year-old presenter accidentally swore in front of a sold-out audience that included children. According to reports, he quickly reacted to his slip by quipping that he might be 'cancelled for the second time in a year'.
The remark was a clear reference to the major controversy he ignited last August while co-hosting ITV's This Morning with Josie Gibson. During that broadcast, Rylan's comments on illegal immigration during a debate about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's policies led to a significant public outcry.
The Comments That Caused the Controversy
In August, during a segment with journalist Camilla Tominey and The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell, Rylan praised the contributions of legal immigrants to the UK. He stated that the country 'is built on immigration', citing nurses and doctors who had cared for his mother.
However, he then addressed Channel crossings, saying he found it 'absolutely insane' that people were risking their lives. He criticised what he perceived as a overly welcoming narrative for arrivals, contrasting it with the struggles of homeless people and veterans living in the UK. His remarks immediately sparked a fierce debate, with many viewers accusing him of spreading misinformation, while others defended his right to express a commonly held view.
The fallout was substantial: the episode attracted 702 official complaints to Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator.
Doubling Down and Receiving Support
Following the broadcast, Rylan reiterated his stance on social media. In an Instagram post, he argued that 'you can be pro immigration and against illegal routes', urging people to have conversations instead of shouting on social media.
He received public support from several fellow celebrities, including singer Ronan Keating and Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid. Reid clarified that Rylan had expressed gratitude for migrants in the NHS but was concerned about an uncontrolled 'welcome to the UK' for people whose identities were unknown.
Despite the furore, Rylan's career has continued. He confirmed in September that he would be fronting a new mystical project for Sky History titled Witches of Essex. His pantomime performance, where he sang a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, suggests he is navigating the controversy with a dose of humour.
