Rylan Clark has spoken candidly about his marriage breakdown and mental health struggles, insisting he has 'no regrets' about how his relationship ended. The TV and radio presenter, 37, appeared on ITV's The Assembly, where he was quizzed by a group of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people.
Honesty and Regret
When asked if honesty is always the best policy, Rylan replied: 'Oh wow. Yeah I think it is. I'm okay admitting when I'm in the wrong, because actually I don't deal well with guilt, and I don't deal well with secrets. It made me so ill, and it sounds a terrible thing to say, but I'm glad it happened.' He added: 'I never think about him (ex-husband Dan Neal). I miss feeling like I've got it all. I thought I had life done... I didn't have anything sussed. And I can look back now and know that I don't regret anything.'
Breakdown and Recovery
After his marriage ended in 2021, Rylan suffered a breakdown. He described the experience on the show: 'When my marriage ended... it's like someone went like that and I just fell over and I couldn't get back up.' He moved back in with his mother and detailed his slow recovery, starting with pressing the kettle button. 'On day one, I walked over to the kettle... and pressed the button, then I walked away. That was enough for day one... lo and behold, I got to the day where I could make my mum a cup of tea again.'
Cancel Culture and Fame
Rylan also addressed cancel culture, referencing friends like Phillip Schofield and Scott Mills who lost their jobs due to private matters. He said: 'If someone's done something wrong, then I understand why they can't carry on... But I do feel today that we live in a world where people will want to go for you and cancel you, for the sake of just doing it, because they can. Don't always believe what you hear or read.'
Reflecting on fame, which he once craved, Rylan admitted: 'It became the one thing I hated the most.' However, he noted the best part has been buying his mother a new house.
Rylan's episode of The Assembly airs Sunday May 24 at 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX. If you are struggling with mental health, contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 or info@mind.org.uk.
