After his witty on-air rant on immigration on This Morning, Ryan Clark sparked over 500 Ofcom complaints. He now appears to be putting the backlash behind him.
Ronan Keating has shown public support for friend Rylan Clark, following the backlash over the TV presenter’s controversial comments about immigration on This Morning.
During his performance at Radio 2 in the Park on Saturday in Chelmsford, Ronan, 48, paused his set to pay tribute to Rylan, 36, who had been at the centre of a storm of criticism earlier in the week. Addressing the crowd, the Boyzone singer said, “This is a big gig tonight, a nice vibe, we’re in Chelmsford – also we’re in the home of Rylan. I thought I might do something nice for Rylan tonight, so I wrote a song, especially for you all.”
He joked that the song was brand-new and had never been released, adding, “It’s about Essex, it’s about Rylan.” Use caution because this is not the time to use the restroom or the bar. You’ll regret it if you move there, look at all those people who moved there.
Ronan then launched into his hit When You Say Nothing At All, dedicating it to Rylan in a show of solidarity. Rylan had found himself under fire after a segment on This Morning, where he criticised the UK’s handling of illegal migration.
He praised migrant NHS staff who had cared for his mother Linda, but said it was “insane” that some people arriving via small boats were being put up in four-star hotels.
He continued, “How come if I show up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I have my passport in Spain and I’ve got to stand there and won’t be let in, but I get taken to a four-star hotel”?
Rylan expressed concern about the government’s ignorance of some arrivals and what they might have done, saying, “We have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of doing, and clearly we see a lot of it in the press at the moment, some are doing, and the amount of it is costing us.
He continued,” and I find it to be utterly absurd that so many people were risking their lives crossing the Channel. Second, it does seem like “welcome” when they arrive. Continue reading. Here are the hotels, the phones, and the iPads. “
His comments drew 576 Ofcom complaints and sparked a heated debate online. Critics accused him of spreading misinformation, particularly about asylum seekers receiving phones and iPads.
Rylan responded to the backlash by saying, “You can be pro immigration and oppose illegal routes. You can support transgender people and show the most respect for women. You can support gay rights if you’re heterosexual. The list keeps growing.
He wrote, “Stop with this, everyone, start a box exercise, and maybe have conversations on Twitter rather than shouting.”
On Friday, he confirmed his final day presenting This Morning alongside Josie Gibson, wrapping up their summer holiday cover for regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.
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