In a moment that stunned fans, Ronan Keating has publicly come to the defence of Rylan Clark after the This Morning host faced an avalanche of criticism for his explosive comments on immigration.
Rylan, 36, sparked a storm last week when he delivered a fiery on-air rant about migrants during a debate over Reform leader Nigel Farage’s mass deportation plans. His words triggered more than 570 complaints to Ofcom and a wave of outrage across social media.
But on Saturday night at Radio 2 in the Park, Boyzone star Ronan, 48, used his platform to show support for his longtime friend — dedicating a heartfelt performance to the embattled presenter.
Addressing the Chelmsford crowd, Ronan said: “This is a big gig tonight, nice vibe, and we’re in the home of Rylan. I thought I might do something nice for him tonight, so I wrote a song just for you all.”
He teased the audience before breaking into one of his most famous Number One hits, When You Say Nothing At All, telling fans: “This is not the time to go to the bar. It’s about Essex, it’s about Rylan. You’ll regret missing this.”
The dedication was widely seen as a public show of solidarity for Rylan, who has been under fire ever since his controversial remarks. When asked about Ronan’s gesture, Rylan declined to fuel the drama, simply saying: “I’m not going to talk about anything today. I love Ronan, he’s a really good friend of mine.”
The Controversial Comments
The storm began when Rylan questioned why British citizens face strict border rules while, in his view, illegal arrivals appear to be offered luxury treatment. “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I won’t be let in? But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?”
He argued that legal migrants — including the doctors and nurses who once saved his mother Linda’s life — were vital to the country, but claimed that the system for those crossing the Channel illegally was “insane.”
“It feels like when they get here, it’s ‘welcome, here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s the iPads,’” he told viewers, insisting: “Meanwhile, people who have lived here all their lives are struggling. Something major needs to be done.”
Rylan’s remarks divided audiences sharply. Critics accused him of spreading misinformation, pointing out that asylum seekers are entitled to NHS care but are not given iPads or mobile phones by the Home Office. Some churches and charities may donate such items, but they are not state-funded. Four-star hotels have been used to house asylum seekers, including the Britannia International in Canary Wharf.
Defending His Position
Facing backlash, Rylan took to social media to clarify his stance. “You can be pro-immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans rights and still respect women. You can be heterosexual and support gay rights. Stop putting people in boxes — have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”
Despite his defence, the controversy followed him throughout the week. By Friday, he confirmed live on air that it was his “last day” co-hosting This Morning with Josie Gibson, after stepping in for regular presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd.
A Voice of Support
For many, Ronan Keating’s musical tribute served as a reminder that Rylan is not facing the storm alone. Fans in Chelmsford cheered as Ronan sang in his honour, with some praising the singer for standing by his friend in the middle of a media firestorm.
Whether Rylan’s TV future is secure remains uncertain, but Saturday night’s performance showed one thing clearly — he still has powerful allies in his corner.
