Rylan Clark sparked over 500 Ofcom complaints after his passionate on-air rant about immigration on This Morning,but appears to be putting the backlash behind him
Ronan Keating attended the Radio 2 in the Park gig
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.”
Joking that the song was brand new and never heard before, he added,“It’s about Essex, it’s about Rylan. Just go with it – this is not the time to go to the toilet, or go to the bar. Look at all those people moving over there, you’ll regret it – come back.”
Ronan Keating sang a song dedicated to pal Rylan Clark at Radio 2 at the Park(Image: Redferns)
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 went on to say, “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in, but if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?”
Rylan Clark sparked furry following his appearance on This Morning(Image: ITV)
Rylan expressed concerns about the government not knowing who some arrivals are or what they might have done, saying, “The money that it’s costing us, the amount of people that are in this country that we have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of – and clearly we see a lot of it in the press at the moment, what some are doing.
He went on, “I find it absolutely insane that all these people are, one, risking their lives to come across the Channel. And, two, when they get here, it does seem like: ‘Welcome. Come on in. Here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s 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.
Responding to the backlash, Rylan posted on social media,“You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women. You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. The list continues.
“Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter,” he wrote.
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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