Rylan Clark’s discussion about immigration on This Morning last week has racked up over 500 Ofcom complaints. The TV personality, 36, co-hosted the ITV chat show with Josie Gibson when a debate about illegal immigration arose during a discussion on Reform leader Nigel Farage’s mass deportation proposal.
During the segment, Clark acknowledged that legal immigration is ‘helping this country thrive’ but expressed concern about Channel boat crossings, saying: ‘I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel… it feels like, “Welcome, come on in”.’ His remarks included references to iPads, NHS access, and hotel stays for asylum seekers, which were later fact-checked as inaccurate regarding iPads and other provisions.
Ofcom confirmed 576 complaints were issued ‘related to comments made by the presenter during a discussion about immigration.’ Viewers accused him of spreading misinformation. However, some defended him, including far-right figure Tommy Robinson and Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid, who argued his message ‘struck a chord with many.’
Reid clashed with Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire, who said Clark had ‘regurgitated terrible myths.’ Reid countered that Clark’s concerns about border control were legitimate and not anti-migration. The incident occurs amid ongoing tensions over asylum seeker housing, including protests outside migrant hotels and legal disputes.
