Rylan Clark uttered just eight words as the cameras cut to an ad break — and he knew instantly the storm that was coming.
The TV presenter found himself at the centre of a national row following a heated discussion on This Morning about immigration and Channel crossings. Appearing on the ITV show on August 27 alongside Josie Gibson, Camilla Tominey and Tim Campbell, Rylan spoke candidly about what he described as contradictions in Britain’s approach to welcoming refugees.
While acknowledging that healthcare workers from “other countries” had saved his mum Linda’s life, Rylan questioned the risks people take to cross the Channel and the messaging he felt the public was being fed. He said it felt as though the narrative was simply “Welcome, come on in”, adding that many viewers — including Labour voters — felt “there’s something wrong” with how the situation was being handled.
As the programme broke for adverts, Rylan leaned over and quietly said the words that later became infamous: “I’m going to get absolutely pilloried for this.”
Now, Camilla Tominey has revealed what that moment felt like from inside the studio. Speaking on former BBC presenter Andrew Gold’s Heretics podcast, she admitted she immediately sensed the weight of what Rylan had done, saying she thought, “Oh, he’s putting his neck out.”
Gold joked that Rylan must have been panicking internally, but Tominey pushed back hard against that idea. She insisted Rylan is widely misunderstood, describing him as highly intelligent, well-read and far more thoughtful than his on-screen persona might suggest. According to Tominey, Rylan himself has said there is a clear difference between “Rylan” the character and who he really is.
She added that his comment during the break wasn’t born of fear, but realism — an acknowledgement that expressing strong opinions in today’s climate almost guarantees backlash.
The segment ultimately triggered hundreds of Ofcom complaints, but Tominey believes excluding Rylan from future appearances would be absurd. She argued that he remains one of the strongest guest presenters on television, with experience, confidence and the courage to say exactly what he thinks.
Gold agreed, adding that he has also heard from Rob Rinder that Rylan is “very smart” — a reminder that behind the flamboyant persona is a broadcaster who knows precisely when he is stepping into dangerous territory.
