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Rylan Clark’s discussion about immigration on This Morning last week has racked up over 500 Ofcom complaints.
The TV personality, 36, co-hosted the ITV chat show last week with Josie Gibson when a debate about illegal immigration cropped up while speaking about Reform leader Nigel Farage’s proposal for mass deportation.
During the chat with journalist Camilla Tominey and The Apprentice winner turned judge Tim Campbell, Rylan acknowledged that legal immigration is ‘helping this country thrive’.
He then addressed the Channel boat crossings, adding: ‘I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel.
‘And when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are saying there’s something wrong, it feels like, “Welcome, come on in”. That’s the narrative we’re being fed.
‘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.’
Is what Rylan claiming true?
Access to the NHS: Healthcare in Britain is free at the point of use and given to anyone who needs it – this includes asylum seekers.
Access to iPads: Asylum seekers are not provided with iPads.
The official UK government confirms they will ‘usually get £49.18 for each person in your household. This will help you pay for things you need like food, clothing, and toiletries.’
As for where they are homed, they are ‘given somewhere to live if they need it. This could be in a flat, house, hostel or bed and breakfast.’
‘There are people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling. They’re homeless. Let’s not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this.’
His comments, which he doubled down on in an Instagram post, faced immense backlash from viewers who accused him of spreading misinformation.
Ofcom confirmed 576 complaints were issued ‘related to comments made by the presenter during a discussion about immigration.’
Others, however, came to his defence, saying he was speaking on behalf of many people.
One of those who has praised him for his comments is far-right ‘activist’ Tommy Robinson, who wrote on X that his words were the most common sense ever spoken on ITV’s This Morning.
Elsewhere, Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid also backed him up.
During Tuesday’s episode, Daily Mirror’s associate editor Kevin Maguire, said Rylan had ‘regurgitated terrible myths’.
Susanna pushed back: ‘Hang on. Rylan pointed out that this country is built on immigration, and that he was grateful to all of the migrants who have come to the NHS for helping support his mum.
‘He was actually concerned, though, that we’ve got a sort of welcome to the UK, and we don’t know who all of these people are.
‘I have to say, Kevin, it is the duty of government, as the government itself would acknowledge, that we control borders and we do not just welcome everybody if we don’t know who they are. And I think Rylan’s message struck a chord with a lot of people…he did not want it to be an anti-migration message.’
When Kevin reiterated his stance, Susanna added: ‘I just think that to say that what Rylan said was outrageous, regurgitating propaganda [was wrong].’
His comments come during a volatile time for asylum seekers in this country.
Metro has reached out to ITV and Rylan Clark’s representative for comment.
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