Television personality Rylan Clark has made light of being 'cancelled' for a second time this year, following an on-stage slip-up during a pantomime performance in Essex.
Panto Swearing Sparks On-Stage Joke
The incident occurred over the weekend while the 37-year-old former X Factor star was performing as the Fairy Godfather in Cinderella at the Southend Cliffs Pavilion. According to reports, Clark accidentally used strong language in front of a sold-out audience that included many children.
Quickly correcting himself, the presenter turned the moment into a joke. He quipped to the crowd that he would now be "cancelled for the second time in a year." His representatives have been contacted for comment regarding the stage mishap.
Backlash Over August Immigration Comments
Clark's on-stage remark was a direct reference to the significant controversy he ignited in August 2025 while co-hosting ITV's This Morning. During a live broadcast, he expressed strong views on illegal migration across the English Channel.
While acknowledging the vital role of legal immigration, Clark argued there was "something wrong" with the system. He suggested that some arriving via small boats appeared to receive preferential treatment, including accommodation and NHS access, while British citizens and legal migrants struggled.
His comments, which included a rhetorical question about being denied entry at Heathrow for a forgotten passport while boat arrivals were housed, sparked immediate and fierce debate online.
Hundreds of Ofcom Complaints and Aftermath
The fallout from the This Morning segment was substantial. The broadcast regulator, Ofcom, confirmed it received over 700 complaints about Clark's remarks. A spokesperson stated they were assessing the complaints against broadcasting rules but had not yet decided on an investigation.
In response to the online fury, Clark posted a follow-up statement on his Instagram Stories. He wrote: "You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women... Stop with this putting everyone in a box and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter."
Despite this clarification, the damage was done for many viewers, leading to the wave of formal complaints. The panto incident, where he shares the stage with former Lorraine correspondent Ross King, has now brought the earlier controversy back into the spotlight.
