BBC Radio 2 presenter Rylan Clark has joked about his BBC salary after a French air traffic control strike left him stranded in Nice and unable to make it to one of his shows. The 37-year-old, who has fronted a show on BBC Radio 2 since 2019, missed a broadcast earlier this year when industrial action stopped him from returning from Nice on the morning he was scheduled to be back.
Rylan's Tongue-in-Cheek Comment
While acknowledging his timing was not ideal, Rylan told Alan Carr's Life's A Beach podcast that there were far worse locations to be stranded. He then made a quip about the BBC, reports the Mirror.
During his first appearance on the podcast since 2022, Rylan recounted: "I was stranded in Nice, ain't it terrible? What a terrible place to be stranded, in the south of France."
"It was terrible. It was my own fault, like, radio have had a right go because, me being me, I was like, 'I'll just fly home on the morning of my show.'"
Rylan then aimed a dig at the BBC regarding his pay packet, joking: "Weren't my fault there was a French air traffic control strike. What am I supposed to do? Walk? P*** off for the money they pay me. Thank you licence payers."
Children in Need Role Announced
Rylan's remark about his BBC show came before a significant broadcast for both the corporation and the former X Factor contestant, reports the Express. It has been revealed that Rylan is set to join the presenting team for the BBC's flagship annual BBC Children in Need charity broadcast.
Following the news, Rylan voiced his excitement at landing such a coveted role, just six years after his first involvement with Children in Need. He will appear alongside the likes of Alex Jones and fellow BBC Radio presenter Sara Cox to front the high-profile fundraising show next month.
Previously, Rylan has thrown himself into raising funds for the campaign, including singing non-stop for 24 hours in 2019 in a segment known as BBC Radio 2's Great Ka-RY-Oke Challenge.
He said: "What an honour to be joining the BBC Children In Need presenting team this year. When I took on my challenge in 2019, I had the privilege of meeting young people at a project funded by BBC Children In Need and heard how important that support was to them and what a huge difference it made to their lives.
"I can't wait to be part of the show on 13 November, to shine a light on some incredible young people and raise lots of money to help ensure every child has someone by their side when they need it most."
