Rylan Clark has joked about ‘being cancelled twice’ in a Christmas pantomime after his controversial comments about illegal immigration on This Morning.
The TV personality, 37, previously racked up 702 Ofcom complaints in August following a debate about Reform leader Nigel Farage’s proposal for mass deportation while hosting the ITV chat show with Josie Gibson.
However, while performing as the Fairy Godfather in Cinderella at Southend Cliffs Pavilion at a Christmas pantomime on Sunday night, the presenter referenced the This Morning incident.
Acting alongside Strictly Come Dancing star Ross King, who plays Buttons, Rylan accidentally swore in front of the sold-out audience, which included children, according to the Daily Mail.
Reacting to his slip, the former X Factor star then reportedly joked that he might be ‘cancelled for the second time in a year’.
Throughout the rest of the show, Rylan then sang and danced, performing a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow as part of the production.
In August, Rylan spoke to co-host Josie as well as show guests journalist Camilla Tominey and The Apprentice winner turned judge Tim Campbell, when he praised legal immigrants to the UK, saying: ‘[The UK] is built on immigration.
‘Legal immigration — a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life, have come over here from other countries.
‘They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.’
He then addressed the Channel boat crossings, adding: ‘I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel.
‘And when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are saying there’s something wrong, it feels like, “Welcome, come on in”. That’s the narrative we’re being fed.
‘Here’s the iPad. Here’s the NHS in reception of your hotel. Here’s three meals a day. Here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome.
‘There are people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling. They’re homeless. Let’s not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this.’
His comments faced immense backlash from viewers who accused him of spreading misinformation.
Others, however, came to his defence, saying he was speaking on behalf of many people.
Doubling down on what he said during the show, Rylan reiterated his initial point on social media, writing on Instagram: ‘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.’
Following on from his comments, several stars rushed to his support, including Ronan Keating and Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid, who said: ‘Rylan pointed out that this country is built on immigration, and that he was grateful to all of the migrants who have come to the NHS for helping support his mum.
‘He was actually concerned, though, that we’ve got a sort of welcome to the UK, and we don’t know who all of these people are.’
Despite sparking a nationwide debate with, Rylan has since confirmed that he’s not going anywhere.
Taking to social media in September earlier this year, the 37-year-old revealed that he would be going back to his roots to front a mystical project for Sky History, titled Witches of Essex.
Metro has contacted Rylan Clark for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.