Rylan Clark has made a surprising admission, revealing he once thought he would be in prison by this stage of his life. The TV personality, now a household name, reflected on his unexpected journey from X Factor contestant to Bafta-winning presenter.
Speaking ahead of his new show with Rob Rinder, Passage To India, Clark joked: “If I think back 20 years ago, I was going out in G-A-Y underage and wearing the Ted Baker sale, so I definitely didn’t see myself doing what I do now. I thought I’d probably be doing time!”
Clark rose to fame on The X Factor in 2012, later appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and securing presenting roles on This Morning, his own Radio 2 show, and reality series such as Dating Naked. He and Rinder recently won a TV Bafta for their previous series.
In their new show, the pair travel across India, with Rinder aiming to educate Clark on the country's culture. Clark admitted initial worries about illness and heat, and a mosquito bite on arrival seemed to confirm his fears: “I thought, ‘Here we go.’ Not a great start.”
The series also features emotional moments, including discussions about mortality along the River Ganges. Rinder praised Clark's ability to create a safe space for deep conversations, saying: “It’s part of Rylan’s power.”
Rob and Rylan's Passage To India airs on Sunday 14 September at 9pm on BBC Two.
