Susanna Reid defends Ryan Clark from immigration row backlash during heated clash

Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid has supported Rylan Clark after he faced intense backlash for comments about illegal immigration.

Last week the former X Factor and Celebrity Big Brother star was hosting ITV’s This Morning when he weighed in on a discussion over mass deportation plans proposed by Reform leader Nigel Farage.

The controversial far-right leader had said that if his party won the next election, they would deport hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants over five years.

While on air, Rylan acknowledged the benefits of immigration on building the country, but added a policy needed to be implemented to address the Channel boat crossings – which sparked some to say he was ‘misinformed’ and was ‘amplifying lies’.

Now, a few days on, he’s again come under the spotlight.

During Tuesday’s episode of GMB, Susanna and her co-host Ed Balls were joined in the studio by correspondents Kevin Maguire and Andrew Pierce, with the topic of immigration then being raised.

Then taking aim Kevin, an associate editor at the Daily Mirror newspaper, said that Rylan had ‘regurgitated terrible myths’.

Quickly jumping in, Susanna counteracted his statement, saying: ‘Hang on. 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.

‘I have to say, Kevin, it is the duty of government, as the government itself would acknowledge, that we control borders and we do not just welcome everybody if we don’t know who they are. And I think Rylan’s message struck a chord with a lot of people…he did not want it to be an anti-migration message.’

Kevin then added: ‘He also regurgitated a load of myths and lies. Let’s not ignore that…myths and lies have gone mainstream, and we’ve got to challenge that, we’ve got to push back on that.’

Wrapping up the chat, Susanna said: ‘I just think that to say that what Rylan said was outrageous, regurgitating propaganda [was wrong].’

Soon after watching the exchange play out, many viewers shared their thoughts on social media – with reaction divided.

‘Well done Susanna for saying what is right,’ Jason wrote on X.

‘Susanna deserves a knighthood for the way she just annihilated Kevin Maguire for totally misquoting Rylan. Slayed!’ PeakyPolly declared.

However, others said they were left unimpressed.

‘I never thought Susannah Reid could go that low. I can’t even watch that show anymore. And well done to Kevin,’ adeebs shared.

‘Well-spoken Kevin – a voice in the wilderness regrettably,’ Eva added.

Meanwhile The Apprentice’s Narinder Kaur criticised what unfolded, writing: ‘Just Susanna Reid doubling done on Rylan’s comments and misinformation about asylum seekers on @GMB @itv just because he’s a mate and going full throttle with ole “illegal” tag line just to boot it in. Gives Kevin a look and he gets slightly smaller…panellists living in fear of being cancelled on that show is pretty disgusting. No impartiality whatsoever. On the other hand, on behalf of every black and brown community in Britain, thank you @Kevin_Maguire.’

Following his comments on This Morning last week, Rylan doubled down and shared the following in a statement online: ‘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.’

On the show he had also said the UK was ‘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,’ he said.

‘They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.’

However, he also added: ‘‘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.’

He then added: ‘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.’

Metro has contacted ITV for comment.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.

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