Television presenter Rylan Clark is facing mounting pressure over his future on This Morning, with bookmakers giving him a 60 per cent chance of being sacked following controversial immigration comments that triggered 576 Ofcom complaints.
The 36-year-old Essex presenter sparked widespread backlash after making claims about asylum seekers receiving iPads and four-star hotel accommodation during a heated debate on the ITV daytime programme on 27 August. Pundit Arena has now placed odds of 4/6 on Clark being dropped from the show entirely, with further betting suggesting he could return as a stand-in presenter before the end of 2025 at 3/1, or make a comeback in 2026 at 2/1.
The broadcasting regulator confirmed it is assessing the hundreds of complaints against its rules but has yet to decide whether to launch a formal investigation into the incident.
Small Boats Crisis Comments Spark Outrage
During the controversial segment, Clark co-hosted alongside Josie Gibson whilst discussing the government’s handling of illegal immigration. The former X Factor contestant made several inflammatory claims about migrants crossing the English Channel, suggesting asylum seekers receive luxury treatment upon arrival.
“This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration,” Clark stated during the live broadcast. 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.”
The presenter continued with more contentious assertions: “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.”
Clark then made specific claims about the treatment of asylum seekers, stating: “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.”
Veterans and Homelessness Comparison
The Celebrity Big Brother winner drew comparisons between the treatment of asylum seekers and British citizens experiencing homelessness. “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,” he declared.
Clark concluded his controversial segment by claiming that whilst he would be refused entry to Britain at Heathrow Airport without his passport, “If I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?”
His remarks prompted immediate criticism from viewers who accused him of spreading misinformation about the asylum system. Critics pointed out that asylum seekers are not provided with iPads or luxury accommodation, contradicting Clark’s on-air claims.
Betting Odds Signal Uncertain Future
Joe Lyons, spokesperson for Pundit Arena, revealed the stark reality facing Clark’s television career. Rylan Clark has faced some strong backlash on social media following his comments last week on ‘This Morning’, with hundreds of complaints flooding into Ofcom and mounting pressure on ITV to respond,” Lyons stated.
“The odds suggest his position is genuinely at risk, with a price of 4/6 implying he’s more likely than not to be dropped from the show. That said, Clark remains a popular figure with some viewers and ITV bosses may opt for a short-term timeout rather than a full dismissal.
The betting company has placed Clark at 11/10 to avoid the sack from the show entirely, whilst his odds to be made a full-time presenter this year have dramatically drifted from 3/1 to 10/1 following the controversy.
Lyons added: “One of the biggest moves in the market came in Rylan’s odds to be made a full-time presenter this year; his price has drifted from 3/1 out to 10/1.”
Political Figures Weigh In
The controversy escalated when Good Morning Britain correspondent Kevin Maguire accused Clark of “regurgitating terrible myths” about migrants during a panel discussion on Tuesday. Susanna Reid was forced to intervene during the heated exchange, with Maguire asserting that Clark had “regurgitated a load of myths and lies.”
GB News personality Lizzie Cundy defended Clark, arguing he was “correct to say what he said” and claiming that “people are genuinely scared about what is going on in their towns.” She highlighted that almost 60,000 people had arrived illegally since Labour took office, defending Clark’s right to voice such concerns.
Conservative media figures rallied to Clark’s defence, with The Spectator’s Gareth Roberts praising him as “a level above” in the “stultifying bland and conformist world of daytime television.” The Daily Telegraph’s George Chesterton suggested Clark’s “sheer reasonableness and working-class relatability make his opinions harder to write off as the rantings of a jingoist.”
Clark’s Defiant Response
Following the backlash, Clark took to social media platform X to defend his position, writing: “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.”
He added: “Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”
Despite the controversy, Clark continued presenting This Morning for the remainder of the week, completing his scheduled summer cover duties. He announced on Friday that it was his “last day” filling in for regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, though this was part of the planned summer schedule rather than a response to the complaints.
Ofcom Investigation Pending
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed: “We’re assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.” The 576 complaints represent one of the larger complaint volumes received about This Morning in recent months.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for political discourse around immigration, with the government committed to emptying all hotels currently housing migrants by the end of Parliament, potentially as late as 2029. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested wanting to “bring that forward” without committing to a specific date.
HuffPost UK reported that Clark wrongly claimed asylum seekers entering the UK are given free phones and iPads and put up at luxury hotels, statements that have been widely debunked by immigration experts and fact-checkers.
Long-Standing This Morning Presence
Clark has been a regular fixture on This Morning since 2013, shortly after winning Celebrity Big Brother. He has served as a relief presenter alongside various co-hosts including Ruth Langsford, Alison Hammond, Holly Willoughby, and Phillip Schofield over the years.
The presenter rose to fame on the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012, finishing in fifth place despite harsh criticism from judge Gary Barlow, who called him a “joke act” and “talentless.” He went on to host various television programmes including Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, The Xtra Factor, and Supermarket Sweep.
ITV has not responded to requests for comment about Clark’s future on the programme or the Ofcom complaints. The broadcaster faces a delicate decision about whether to retain the popular but controversial presenter or bow to pressure from viewers and regulators.
As the media regulator continues its assessment, Clark’s television career hangs in the balance, with bookmakers suggesting his decade-long association with This Morning could be coming to an abrupt end.
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