Rylan Clark delighted crowds as he performed a surprise duet with Michelle Visage at Radio 2 In The Park on Friday – just a week after the TV star faced backlash over immigration comments he made on This Morning.
The TV presenter, 36, was in his element as he took to the stage alongside his long-time pal Michelle, 56, to belt out the Grease classic Summer Nights in front of a packed crowd.
For the impromptu performance, Rylan cut a smart-casual figure in a stylish stone co-ord, featuring a bomber jacket and matching drawstring trousers. He layered the look with a simple black T-shirt underneath.
Meanwhile, Michelle looked sensational in a black scoop-neck vest top paired with bold leopard print capri trousers.
The pair danced across the stage and threw themselves into the energetic rendition of the 1978 hit, much to the delight of fans in the audience.
Rylan seemed to have brushed off his latest controversy after he hit headlines following his comments during a discussion about Reform leader Nigel Farage’s plans for mass deportations.
Rylan Clark and Michelle Visage delighted crowds with a surprise duet at Radio 2 In The Park on Friday
The TV presenter, 36, was in his element as he took to the stage alongside his long-time pal Michelle, 56, to belt out the Grease classic Summer Nights in front of a packed crowd
He said: ‘How come 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?’
Rylan, who acknowledged that what he was saying was divisive, continued: ‘This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration. They’re in our tax system, they’re helping our country thrive.
‘I find it absolutely insane that all these people are, one, risking their lives to come across the Channel. And, two, when they get here, it does seem like: “Welcome. Come on in. Here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s the iPads.”
‘And then there’s people who have lived here all their lives. They are struggling. I believe that something major needs to be done about this.’
However, the comments did not go down well with many viewers, who accused the host of spreading misinformation about the asylum process in the UK.
Rylan subsequently took to social media to defend himself, writing: ‘You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes.
‘You can support trans rights and have the utmost respect for women.
For the impromptu performance, Rylan cut a smart-casual figure in a stylish stone co-ord, featuring a bomber jacket and matching drawstring trousers
Meanwhile, Michelle looked sensational in a black scoop-neck vest top paired with bold leopard print capri trousers
The pair danced across the stage and threw themselves into the energetic rendition of the 1978 hit, much to the delight of fans in the audience
‘You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. The list continues.’
Following the announcement of Rylan’s departure, fans took to social media to express their sadness that he will no longer be a regular fixture of the program.
They wrote: ‘Please can we keep Rylan/ Josie on here?’; ‘I won’t be watching come next week.’;
‘I haven’t really watched much of This Morning for years mostly due to being at work and if I was home I would have turned it over. However I’ve been pleasantly surprised this week. Loving Rylan and Josie, well done both. Lovely pairing, both genuine, caring, and funny.’
Last Friday he confirmed that it was his ‘last day’ on This Morning amid backlash to his comments about immigration earlier in the week.
The host and Josie Gibson had recently been standing in as hosts on This Morning to cover for Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd as they took their summer holidays.
He said on Friday’s episode: ‘Last day today!’, which prompted Jodie to declare: ‘What a week!’
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 from 10am and is available to stream on ITVX.
It comes after Rylan confirmed on Friday last week that it was his ‘last day’ on This Morning amid backlash to his comments about immigration earlier in the week (pictured with Josie Gibson)
