Rylan reflects on his current state with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “I’m at the start of the rest of my life. Is that a f*****g weird thing to say?” he admits. He describes this period as his favorite era yet, filled with love, healing, and honesty. There are no walls or pretense; he is fully immersed in living authentically.
On a rainy Monday morning, Rylan spoke to Metro about his journey, sharing insights into his narrowly missed opportunity to present Strictly Come Dancing, his blossoming romance with Kennedy, and the reality of fame and its often fleeting nature. Fresh from his appearance on ITV’s groundbreaking interview series The Assembly, Rylan spoke candidly about his mental health struggles and the intense emotional toll of his 2021 split. On the show, where well-known personalities are questioned by autistic and neurodivergent journalists, he revealed how he experienced a paralysing breakdown, explaining, “I tried my hardest to sort of switch off and not listen to any noise after the episode.”
The vulnerability he displayed on screen mirrored his real-life experiences. Rylan previously acknowledged that it simply wasn’t his time to take on the Strictly hosting role. When asked about his feelings towards missing out on the opportunity, he remains gracious and supportive of his friends. “I’m so over the moon for Em,” he says, referring to Emma Willis, who was announced as the presenter alongside Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe. “She’s perfect for that job. And JoJo, who I absolutely adore, is going to be amazing. Josh and I have always got along really well. I’m excited to see how it all comes together. It’s a new era for Strictly, and anyone following Tess and Claud would know you need some serious courage to take that on. I’m confident the trio will have a wonderful time.”
Over the past 15 years, Rylan has faced criticism and public scrutiny, including backlash over comments made about UK immigration while hosting This Morning. Despite this, he has learned to navigate the pressures of fame with resilience. “I hate the term rock bottom, but that’s the only way to describe it,” he explains about his breakdown in 2021. He emphasizes that the experience taught him crucial lessons about recognizing warning signs and maintaining mental health. “It’s one of the biggest blessings I learned during that time. I’m never going to let myself go there again. Whatever’s thrown at me, I now know how to handle it. I’m grateful I went through that to be able to say I’m strong enough to get out of it.”
Rylan credits his celebrity friends for their unwavering loyalty during his most difficult moments. Ruth Langsford and Steps singer Claire Richards provided steadfast support when he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. “After all of that, you realize all you need is people you can really trust,” he says. “You could’ve done something terrible, and they’d still be there. Claire and Ruth have always been like family.”
Now, Rylan’s life is marked by joy and stability. His relationship with Kennedy Bates, a fairground director he began dating last year, brings him happiness and a sense of calm. When discussing the possibility of marriage again, he takes a pragmatic yet hopeful approach. “Just because it doesn’t work out once doesn’t mean you can’t try again. All I care about is being in a relationship I want to be in, treating them right, being treated right, and letting things unfold naturally.”
For Rylan, happiness is found in simple pleasures. He describes his ideal escape as driving to Leicester to see Kennedy, spending time at the fair, and enjoying moments away from the public eye. “It feels like my little world where I’m not Rylan, I’m just Ross,” he explains. These personal moments provide him with grounding and joy that fame and television appearances cannot replicate.
Rylan’s journey from heartbreak and mental health struggles to love and self-discovery illustrates resilience, growth, and the power of supportive relationships. He has learned to prioritize his own well-being, embrace authenticity, and find contentment in the simple, meaningful aspects of life. Now, as he continues to navigate the unpredictable world of entertainment with confidence and openness, Rylan Clark is ready to embrace the next chapter, both personally and professionally, with hope and happiness firmly in his heart.
