Rylan Clark has opened up about his past experiences with homophobic bullies.
He’s now using his platform to shed light on homophobia in football through his new show, Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me. The programme delves into the tragic tale of Justin Fashanu, the UK’s first openly gay footballer who tragically took his own life at 37.
It also features West Ham and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, who reflects on his use of homophobic language. The documentary also revisits Rylan’s childhood, where he was relentlessly bullied for his ginger hair, weight and homosexuality.
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The bullying escalated when one tormentor subjected him to a violent attack that landed him in hospital. “I was the fat, ginger kid at school. The first three years of school was hard and then I was like, ‘I’m gay now, get over it.’ It was taunting and very difficult,” the 35 year old previously shared.
(Image: Getty Images)
“When I lived in London there was this playground that I used to go to after school and I got pulled off a rope swing and some boy kicked me in the head and fractured my skull. I was probably about 13 or 14. I was in hospital, it was a horrible time,” Rylan recalled.
Rylan, who was born Ross, had a tough time growing up. He cared for his mum Linda, who battled severe Crohn’s disease, while also dealing with bullies at school. But he didn’t let this get him down. “I just got to a point where I thought ‘f***k off’, if anyone said anything to me I’d give it to them straight back,” he told The Sun.
(Image: ITV)
At 16, Rylan decided to chase his dreams of fame and fortune. He started by getting fit and was soon spotted by a modelling agency. They thought the name Ross was ‘boring’ and changed it to Kielan. In his twenties, he dyed his hair black and adopted the name Rylan after finding it in a baby name book.
After quitting modelling, he performed in Take That and Westlife tribute bands in Ibiza Eventually, Rylan left Ibiza to pursue reality TV fame in the UK. In 2011, he auditioned for Sky Living’s Signed by Katie Price, hoping to become a protege of the millionaire glamour model.
(Image: No credit)
Rylan, who didn’t win the show, formed a strong bond with Katie over their shared love for maintaining their image. He said, “I had my teeth done like Katie and people took the p***, but f*** them all. I’m over the moon with my teeth,” as he hit back at his critics.
He didn’t stop at veneers, turning his attention to other cosmetic procedures including Botox and lip filler. “I wouldn’t say I have a disorder or anything but if you don’t like something, then change it,” Rylan confessed during his stint on The X Factor in 2012.
(Image: Rex)
During his time on The X Factor, old photos of him looking very different began to surface. On one episode of Xtra Factor, hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs even got Rylan to show his passport to viewers to reveal his past identity.
“It’s true! Who’s Rylan? I don’t know,” the singing hopeful admitted. After leaving X Factor in a respectable fifth place – and being one of the most memorable stars of his year – Rylan landed a spot on Celebrity Big Brother.
Having previously tried out as a regular contestant, Rylan went a step further by entering the house as a celebrity. He was also thrilled to meet his idol ‘Claire from Steps’ in the Elstree compound.
(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)
Rylan, known for his ‘love-hate’ relationship with X Factor viewers, truly shone in the Big Brother house and was voted the series winner. He later presented Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, The Xtra Factor and This Morning.
After marrying Dan Neal from Big Brother 14, they separated in 2021 after six years. Rylan was hospitalised, weighing just nine stone, and admitted to having a breakdown after their split. He confessed he “pressed the nuclear button on his seemingly perfect life”, and sadly thought about ending his own life. He has since recovered and rebuilt his life, landing more TV roles. Despite being known as ‘Rylan’, to his mum and close family, he will always be Ross.
Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me airs Discovery+ and TNT Sports tonight at 10.45pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
