Rylan Clark has confirmed that today (Friday 29 August) marks his final day standing in as a presenter for This Morning during the summer holidays. This comes after he faced intense backlash for his comments about immigration, which led to him issuing a public statement.

Opening today’s ITV daytime programme alongside Josie Gibson, Rylan declared: “Last day today!”.

“What a week,” Josie replied.

The TV personalities have been covering for Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard throughout the summer break, alongside the likes of Joel Dommett, Emma Willis, Olivia Attwood and Dermot O’Leary, reports the Mirror.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.

Similar to Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard covering for Lorraine Kelly on her show, and presenters like Charlotte Hawkins and Kate Garraway substituting for Susanna Reid, Rylan and Josie were amongst the well-known faces to host This Morning this week.

However, their stint on the programme became mired in controversy following a heated discussion about immigration, occurring alongside demonstrations happening nationwide regarding the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers.

During a conversation about the mass deportation proposals put forward by Nigel Farage – who claimed he would remove hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants over five years if he gained power – Rylan shared his personal views on immigration. The former X Factor star said that while immigration has been a crucial part of the UK’s history, culture and societal development, and acknowledged how immigrant doctors played a significant role in saving his mum’s life, he believes there needs to be a policy to halt small boats crossing the Channel.

He said: “[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 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.”

Rylan further claimed that asylum seekers are provided with an iPad, 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.”

He continued: “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 remarks sparked fierce criticism, though he subsequently stood firm in an Instagram statement responding to the furore, which stated: “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.”

Whilst numerous supporters responded claiming he was “spreading misinformation” and expressed being “disappointed” by his stance on the issue, others rallied behind Rylan including his colleagues Josie and Rob Rinder, who posted their backing on his message.

Rylan, who triumphed in Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, started hosting This Morning shortly afterwards, and frequently features on the programme alongside presenters such as Ruth Langsford and Alison Hammond.

During a chat with Metro last year, the personality discussed his public image and the aspects of himself he shields from admirers.

When questioned whether the Rylan that supporters recognise is an act or his authentic self, Rylan said: “I think that is the real me. There’s elements of the real me definitely. But I think as time has gone on, I’ve sort of started to realise that I can keep some of me for myself, and whoever I’m with.

“So, yeah, Rylan at work is Rylan 2.0, it’s a little bit more higher pitch voice… whereas in real life, pretty much wearing grey jogging bottoms, drinking a Peroni… very different. You know, there are some days where I’m sat here with no tan on and I’m just sitting here normally, like, it’s lovely.

“But at the end of the day, I sort of made a face and person, in a weird way, and that’s what people expect. So you’ve got to give it to them. If I walk out with no f**king makeup on people will think I’m dead.”