Rylan Clark has made a heartfelt confession about his concerns for life without his mum Linda, revealing what he now looks for in a partner when she is no longer here.
The BBC Radio 2 host, who has been looking after his poorly mum, discussed how his bond with her has influenced his views on relationships.
Rethinking after divorce
In an interview with Closer magazine, Rylan also shared how his split from Dan Neal in 2021 transformed his expectations of a relationship, before discovering love once more with funfair entrepreneur Kennedy Bates.
"I think when you go through a divorce, it makes you rethink. 'What do I want? Who am I? What do I want from a relationship? What do I want to be like in a relationship?'" he explained.
Rylan, who wed Dan aged 27, confessed he'd had limited experience of single life, having met his ex-husband at just 24.
A search for stability
"It took me a good four or five years to meet Kennedy. I dated. I did that first year of, 'I don't give a f**k.' I met my ex-husband when I was 24 – I was really young – and I got married at 27. I was never Rylan and single, if that makes sense? I had my mental year of running around kissing people and whatever."
Eventually, though, the TV star came to realise he craved something more stable, with the straightforward reassurance of having someone there when he got home. "But I soon realised, 'No, I know what I want. I want to get home and someone's there, and I want them to get home and I'm there.'"
His mum's influence
He then made a heartfelt confession about his mum Linda, revealing how her significance in his life had shaped his outlook on finding a partner.
"Ultimately, the way that I look at it is, I want to be with a person that, God forbid, when my mum's not here any more, they're going to be there for me."
Rylan revealed that he believes he has now found someone who provides him with that sense of security, while accepting that relationships are never entirely smooth.
"I feel like I've got to that point where I met someone and went, 'Hang on a minute. This is right.' Is it all plain sailing? No, because it's a relationship. But would I want it any other way? No."
Birthday plans scaled back
His remarks follow Rylan's announcement that he had reduced his birthday celebrations after a challenging week at home, as he focused on looking after his mum.
The 38-year-old presenter, whose birthday fell on October 25, spoke about his plans while appearing on BBC Radio 2 with Ellie Taylor, where colleagues had also surprised him with a cheeky birthday card.
Explaining why he wouldn't be marking the occasion in grand fashion, Rylan said: "Not much. Actually, I'm not having, like, a big one or anything like that this birthday. I've been looking after Linda this week; she's been a bit poorly. Little bit poorly sick."
He revealed his plans to savour a relaxing drink and a bite to eat before heading back to look after his loved one.
"So tonight, I'll probably have a little beverage. And then tomorrow, probably have, like, a little bit of lunch. And then I'll be back to nursing duties. I feel like Florence Nightingale."
