The TV presenter joined Emma Willis on ITVâs This Morning after his immigration comments last August sparked 702 Ofcom complaints
Rylan Clark has made his comeback to ITVâs This Morning following controversy sparked by remarks he made last year.
The TV personality appeared alongside Emma Willis on the daytime show today, filling in for the usual Friday hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot OâLeary.
Whilst Rylan was once a regular stand-in presenter, he faced significant criticism last year after sharing his views on immigration, which subsequently prompted him to issue a public statement.
During an episode of This Morning last August, whilst discussing mass deportation proposals put forward by Nigel Farage â who pledged to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants over a five-year period should he gain power â Rylan offered his perspective on the immigration debate.
He stated: â[The UK] is built on immigration. Legal immigration â a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mumâs life, have come over here from other countries. Theyâre living a great life, theyâre paying into this tax system, theyâre helping this country thrive.â
He continued: âI find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel.
âAnd when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are saying thereâs something wrong, it feels like, âWelcome, come on inâ. Thatâs the narrative weâre being fed.â
Rylan went on to claim asylum seekers are given an iPad, saying: âHereâs the iPad. Hereâs the NHS in reception of your hotel. Hereâs three meals a day. Hereâs a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome.â
He continued: âThere are people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling. Theyâre homeless. Letâs not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this.â
His comments sparked outrage, leading to 702 Ofcom complaints, and Rylan was noticeably absent from This Morning for several weeks thereafter.
However, he has now returned to the newly refurbished studio alongside co-host Emma Willis, greeting viewers on Friday with: âHello and welcome to your Fridayâs This Morning.â
The duo shared a warm embrace, expressing their delight at being back together on screen. Emma remarked: âThis is nice, isnât it, back together.â
âItâs our first time in the new studio,â Rylan added, referring to the ITV daytime changes implemented earlier this year.
He further commented on the unusual encounters in the new setting, saying: âItâs really bizarre, youâre getting ready and then all of a sudden thereâs a Sunetra Sarker⊠do you know what I mean? Walked into Kaye Adamâs dressing room, what am I like?â
âHeâs going rogue,â Emma joked, whilst Rylan addressed the audience: âItâs lovely to have your company, weâve got lots coming up for you,â before outlining what was planned for the show.
Audiences were thrilled to witness the duo presenting together, with one viewer commenting: âSo so pleased to see Rylan back on the programme this morning and a great pairing with Emma.â
âRylan and Emma are brilliant,â another viewer agreed, whilst someone else remarked: âYay⊠good to see Rylan and Emma.â
âRylan and Emma are the best presenters,â yet another viewer praised.
One person added: âRylan and Emma! Are the producers finally listening to the viewers?â
In the wake of controversy surrounding his remarks last year, Rylan stood firm in an Instagram statement, declaring: âYou can be pro immigration and against illegal routes.
âYou can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women. You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. The list continues.
âStop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.â







