Rylan Clark-Neal has opened up about why he’s decided to take a break from ‘This Morning’ - and it isn’t to start a family.
The former ‘X Factor’ star announced he was leaving the ITV daytime show after five years last month, but when fans began speculating about why he was quitting, the 29-year-old star decided to set the record straight.
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He told The Sun: “I got a load of shit when I had a break from This Morning after five years.
“Some news outlets have said I’m having a baby, getting divorced and terminally ill.
“I’m really missing being there but I just need time to myself. People think there’s an ulterior motive and there’s not.
“I just needed a break for my head, for my body, for my peace of mind. I just needed a little break from working three, four, five jobs. That’s all.”
Rylan also denied rumours that he’s set to start a family with his husband and former ‘Big Brother’ contestant Dan Clark-Neal, who already has teenage a son, Cameron, from a previous relationship.
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Rylan has presented 'This Morning' with his husband Dan Clark-Neal.
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“I’d love to have kids but I just think it’s when the time’s right. We’re absolutely fine but I just want to enjoy my personal life,” he explained.
“I’m not going to sit here and say it won’t happen. If it happens I’ll be very lucky and I’ll love it.”
Rylan is also confident that ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Big Brother’s Bit On The Side’, which he hosts, will continue despite rumours the show is facing the axe from Channel 5.
“If it didn’t come back I would be utterly devastated,” he admits.
“I can’t imagine TV without Big Brother. Not many reality shows can say they’ve been on air for 18 years.
“I’d love to see it make 20 years — of course I would. I think it’s time to make Big Brother what it was.
“I’ve always had one million per cent faith in the format and that it can be the greatest show on telly. There are changes coming, definitely.”
As well as his showbiz segment on ‘This Morning’, he has regularly helmed the daytime show when other hosts have been absent, and won an British LGBT Award for when he presented alongside husband Dan Clark-Neal in 2016.
Although he’s taking a break from ‘This Morning’, next year is set to be another busy one for Rylan, as he’ll be fronting ‘Celebrity Ghost Hunt’ for 5STAR, as well as new W gameshow ‘The Wave’.
Random TV pairings who've hosted This Morning
Nigel Havers and Lisa Snowdon(01 of13)
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If ever there was a more random TV pairing, we'd like to hear about it. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Mollie King and Mark Wright(02 of13)
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Former Saturdays singer Mollie was an addition to the presenting team over the summer of 2018, and was randomly paired up with former 'TOWIE' star Mark for one edition. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Michael Ball and Sara Cox(03 of13)
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Michael and Sara's one-episode stint in 2018 gifted birthed the best presenting duo name ever - ladies and gents, we give you Cox and Ball. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden(04 of13)
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Following tradition of married couples hosting the show, our Kerreh fronted an edition with then-husband Brian in 2001 - six years before *that* infamous interview with Phil and Fern. (credit:Rex)
Patrick Kielty and Emma Willis(05 of13)
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Patrick teamed up with 'Big Brother' host Emma Willis over the summer of 2012. While the pairing was perfectly pleasant, we're still wondering what made producers throw them together. (credit:Rex)
Twiggy and Coleen Nolan(06 of13)
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This part of This Morning's 28-year history is often glossed over, but you might just remember Twiggy and Coleen were picked as Richard and Judy's full-time replacements in 2001. They only lasted a few months in the job before being axed. (credit:Rex)
Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton(07 of13)
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The former 'Live And Kicking' presenter hadn't been seen on screens for a while when he hosted some shows with Emma Bunton over the summer of 2013. But the pairing proved successful, as the Spice Girl was later hired to co-host his Heart radio breakfast show. (credit:Rex)
Tim Vincent and Kate Garraway(08 of13)
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We've not heard or seen anything from former 'Blue Peter' presenter Tim in yeaaars, but he did guest host the show with Kate Garraway in 2005.
Denise Van Outen and Richard Bacon(09 of13)
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Another random pairing, but both Denise and Richard had experience in hosting morning telly, having previously fronted Channel 4's 'The Big Breakfast', albeit it with separate co-hosts. Here they are on 'This Morning' in 2005. (credit:Rex)
Jeremy Kyle and Kate Thornton(10 of13)
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Given his direct, and often rude, approach on his own show, Jeremy seemed a bit of an odd choice to present the warm and friendly 'This Morning' alongside former X Factor host Kate Thornton in 2010. (credit:Rex)
Paddy McGuinness and Andrea Catherwood(11 of13)
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Another 'who the hell stuck these two together?' pairing came in the form of former ITV newsreader Andrea and 'Take Me Out' host Paddy McGuinness, who presented 'This Morning' together for a couple of episodes in 2011. (credit:Rex)
Matthew Kelly(12 of13)
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The 'Stars In Their Eyes' presenter stepped in for Richard and Judy with Sarah Kennedy back in the 1990s. (credit:Rex)
Amanda Byram and Jake Humphrey(13 of13)
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Amanda was best known for hosting the likes of 'Total Wipeout' and 'Something For The Weekend' and was teamed up with former CBBC-turned-sports presenter Jake Humphrey in 2013. (credit:Rex)