Rylan Clark, the TV presenter and former X Factor contestant, has opened up about a five-month absence from public life following a mental health crisis three years ago. In a candid interview, he revealed that he never expected to recover from the breakdown, which forced him to step away from his hectic schedule of TV appearances, radio shows, and podcasts.
Clark, who rose to fame on the 2012 series of The X Factor, described the intense press scrutiny and public mockery he faced during his time on the show. Despite finishing fifth, he became a regular on British television, hosting programmes such as This Morning and appearing on Gogglebox. However, the constant pressure eventually took its toll.
The presenter, 34, spoke about the distinction between his public persona 'Rylan' and his private self 'Ross'. He explained that during his recovery, the two sides of his personality have become closer, allowing him to return to work with a healthier perspective. 'Rylan is OTT, supremely camp, larger than life; Ross is quieter, super-smart,' he said.
Clark is now fronting a new Prime Video reality show, Hot Mess Summer, in which entitled party-goers are forced to work in a bar on Zante. He acknowledged the importance of duty of care in modern reality TV, drawing on his own experiences as a contestant. 'I've seen the change in duty of care. It's everyone's priority now,' he noted.
