Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: ITV, This Morning, Politics, Celebrity, UK News
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Madison Burgess
Rylan Clark has issued a statement following the online backlash he received after sharing his views on the UK's immigration policies.
The 36-year-old TV personality shared his controversial views during an instalment of ITV's This Morning on Wednesday (27th August).
Alongside co-host Josie Gibson, he discussed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s proposed deportation policy and later posted a follow-up statement on Instagram.
Rylan recalled how doctors and nurses from 'other countries' saved his mother's life when she was ill earlier this year and praised how ‘legal immigrants’ help the country thrive.
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However, he added that there's 'something wrong' with the way those who cross the Channel are welcomed.
On the breakfast TV show, he said: "Taking politics out of this, let's just look at the country. This country is built on immigration, legal immigration.
"A lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum's life have come over here from other countries, are living a great life, they're paying into this tax system, they're helping this country thrive."
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He continued: "'I find it absolutely insane that all these people, 1) are risking their lives coming across the Channel like they are, but 2) when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are now sitting there going there's something wrong here, it seems, 'Welcome, come on in.'
"This is the narrative we're being fed. Here's the hotel, here's the phones, here's the iPad, here's the NHS in reception of your hotel. Here's three meals a day, here's a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome."
Rylan argued: "And then there's people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling, or homeless. Let's not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this."
Later questioning: "How can it be that if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in. But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?”
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The political comments have since sparked backlash and division on social media, prompting the presenter to issue a subsequent statement on Instagram.
Just hours after the show aired, he posted a black background with a lengthy message to his 2.5million followers, doubling down on the comments.
Rylan wrote: "You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women. You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights."
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He added: "The list continues. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter."
Despite responding to his critics, the backlash and online debates are ongoing, with some rushing to the star's defence and other condemning him for it.
Drag Race star Bimini responded to the statement by saying 'nobody is illegal' and they 'fully support' the right to seek asylum, while Robert Rinder said he is 'proud' of his friend for making the comments.