On August 27, 2025, Rylan Clark, 36, sparked a firestorm during his This Morning stint, halting the show to blast the government’s handling of the small boats crisis, drawing hundreds of Ofcom complaints and fears of an ITV axe. Co-hosting with Josie Gibson, Rylan ranted about illegal migrants receiving “four-star hotels” while British citizens struggle, prompting accusations of “spreading misinformation” and comparisons to GB News. Now, in a fiery Instagram statement, Rylan clapped back at critics, urging nuance on immigration: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes.” As #RylanBacklash trends with 10K+ posts, has his bold take cost him his job? The explosive debate below! 👇

### The Rant That Divided the Nation
During the Morning View segment on This Morning, Rylan dove into Reform UK’s plans to deport 600,000 illegal migrants, led by Nigel Farage. “This is so topical,” he said, before unleashing: “This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration. A lot of the doctors and nurses who saved my mum’s life have come over here from other countries. They’re in our tax system, they’re helping our country thrive.”

But Rylan didn’t stop there. “I find it absolutely insane that all these people are, one, risking their lives to come across the Channel. And, two, when they get here, it does seem like: ‘Welcome. Come on in.’ Here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s the iPads, here’s the NHS in the reception of your hotel, here’s three meals a day, here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time, welcome.”

He continued: “The money that it’s costing us. The amount of people who are in this country who we have no idea of who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of. We’ve seen a lot of it in the press at the moment, what some, not all, are doing to people in this country.”

Rylan contrasted: “If I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in. But if I arrive on a boat in Calais I get taken to a four-star hotel.” He concluded: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes… Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”

Guest Camilla Tominey, from The Telegraph, backed the sentiment, noting 51,000 Channel crossings last weekend and calling for immediate returns for illegal arrivals. Tim Campbell added: “If you want to come here, apply legitimately for asylum.”

### Viewer Backlash: “I Thought I’d Switched to GB News”
The clip went viral on X, amassing 2M+ views, but reactions split sharply. Supporters praised: “Good on you Rylan! Speaking the absolute truth!” (1,000+ likes) and “Rylan!! Go on, son! Finally, someone with a lick of sense on ITV” (800 retweets). One said: “Fair play to Rylan speaking his mind! Hope it doesn’t cost him his job.”

Critics were furious: “Crikey. I thought I’d accidentally turned on GB News” (1,500 likes) and “This is appalling. Now RYLAN is uncritically spouting Farage’s lines and lies about refugees getting phones, iPads, games rooms and having a lovely time” (1,200 retweets). “Have to say I’m disappointed in Rylan,” another added.

Ofcom received 576 complaints by September 3, per Entertainment Daily, with bookies tipping Rylan at 4/6 to be axed (60% chance) and 10/1 to become permanent host by 2026, per Pundit Arena (September 4). “Rylan Clark has faced some strong backlash… hundreds of complaints flooding into Ofcom,” spokesperson Joe Lyons said.

### Rylan’s Shock Statement: “You Can Be Pro Immigration and Against Illegal Routes”
Hours after airing, Rylan addressed the storm on Instagram, posting a grid with his statement: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans rights 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.”

Fans rallied: “Absolute RESPECT for speaking up Rylan you legend” (2,000 likes) and “Don’t explain yourself mate. We’ve all had enough. Thank you for being brave enough… to say it live on daytime TV” (1,500 retweets). Good Morning Britain’s Rob Rinder defended: “Proud of Rylan for speaking sense.”

But the backlash persisted. On August 29, Rylan announced it was his “last day” on This Morning (summer cover for Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard), per Liverpool Echo. “Last day today!” he said, amid speculation the rant contributed, though ITV called it his scheduled end. X worried: “Yup he’s deffo getting fired” and “Steady Rylan you’ll be getting cancelled for talking sense.”

### The Bigger Debate: Immigration on Daytime TV
Rylan’s rant highlighted the small boats crisis, with 51,000 crossings in 2024 (Home Office data), costing £8M daily for hotels (BBC, August 2025). Fact-checks by The Mirror (August 29) debunked claims like “free iPads” as exaggeration, but Rylan’s point on legal vs. illegal immigration resonated with some. “This country has got such a brilliant history of legal immigration,” he said, praising immigrant doctors who saved his mum.

Nadia Sawalha on Loose Women faced similar fire for echoing views, per Entertainment Daily. X divided: “Rylan speaking for the silent majority! 👏 #ThisMorning” vs. “Dangerous rhetoric on daytime TV—Rylan’s wrong” (Metro, August 28).

### What’s Next for Rylan?
Rylan’s ITV future hangs in balance—odds of permanent *This Morning* role drifted to 10/1, per Pundit Arena. He’s hosted *Supermarket Sweep* and *It Takes Two*, but the rant risks his “brave” image. ITV hasn’t commented, but Rob Rinder’s support and fan praise suggest he’ll bounce back. As #RylanBacklash rages (15K+ posts), will he return or face cancellation?

Rylan’s plea for nuance—”Stop putting everyone in a box”—resonates. Join X with #RylanClark and #SmallBoatsCrisis. Your take on his rant? 👇