Rylan Clark had skull fractured in vicious attack by homophobic bullies

13 February 2024 , 19:55

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Rylan Clark was targeted by bullies throughout his school years (Image: Getty Images)

Rylan Clark has endured numerous attacks from cruel bullies.

And now, as one of the biggest names in British TV, the presenter now hopes to make a lasting impact with his new show Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me, which examines how British society has treated gay people in the sport. It looks at the tragic story of Justin Fashanu – the UK's first openly gay footballer, who took his own life at 37, and also hears from West Ham and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, who reflects on his use of homophobic language.

The documentary also looks back at Rylan's childhood, where he was mercilessly picked on because of his ginger hair, weight and homosexuality. The bullying took an even more sinister turn when one tormentor subjected him to a violent attack that left him in hospital.

"I was the fat, ginger kid at school. The first three years of school was hard and then I was like, 'I'm gay now, get over it.' It was taunting and very difficult," the 35-year-old previously explained.

Rylan was brutally bullied as a school boy (ITV)

"When I lived in London there was this playground that I used to go to after school and I got pulled off a rope swing and some boy kicked me in the head and fractured my skull. I was probably about 13 or 14. I was in hospital, it was a horrible time," recalled Rylan.

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As well as dealing with his tormentors at school, at home Rylan was caring for his single mum Linda as she battled severe Crohn's disease. But determined not to be beaten, one day he had an epiphany.

"I just got to a point where I thought ‘f***k off’, if anyone said anything to me I'd give it to them straight back," he told The Sun. In a bid to stick it to his bullies, Rylan - who was born Ross - set about achieving his dreams of fame and fortune, first by getting fit. Standing at a statuesque 6ft 4inches, a 16-year-old Rylan was snapped up by a modelling agency, who promptly changed his name to Kielan because they thought Ross was 'boring'.

By the time he reached his twenties, he had completely transformed his image, dying his hair his trademark black and adopting his current moniker after finding it under the 'R' section of a baby name book in WH Smith. After giving up modelling, Rylan flew to Ibiza where he made money performing in Take That and Westlife tribute bands.

Rylan bonded with Katie over their love of a cosmetic procedure (Rex)

He eventually gave up the party island in pursuit of reality TV fame back home. In 2011 he tried out for Sky Living's Signed by Katie Price in the hope of becoming a protégé of the millionaire glamour model.

While he didn't win the show, Rylan struck up a firm friendship with Katie and later claimed they bonded over their love of going to extreme lengths to maintain their image. "I had my teeth done like Katie and people took the p***, but f*** them all. I'm over the moon with my teeth," Rylan fired at his critics.

And he didn't stop at veneers with his attention soon turning to other cosmetic procedures including Botox and lip filler. "I wouldn't say I have a disorder or anything but if you don't like something, then change it," Rylan admitted during his time on The X Factor in 2012.

Rylan won legions of fans after appearing on The X Factor

It was during Rylan's time competing on The X Factor that his old name and photos of him looking wildly different in his younger years began to surface. During one Xtra Factor taping, hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs even got Rylan to show off his passport to viewers to reveal his past identity.

"It's true! Who's Rylan? I don't know," admitted the singing hopeful. After leaving X Factor in a respectable fifth place - and being one of the most memorable and talked about stars of his year - Rylan landed a place on Celebrity Big Brother.

After previously trying out as a regular contestant, Rylan had gone a step further by entering the house as a famous face. He was also delighted to meet his idol 'Claire from Steps' in the Elstree compound.

While he had a 'love-hate' impact on X Factor viewers, Rylan's real personality shone in the Big Brother house and he was unanimously voted the series winner. Later that year, he went on to present Big Brother's Bit on the Side, The Xtra Factor and This Morning.

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He married Big Brother 14 housemate Dan Neal and after six years of marriage, they separated in 2021. Rylan was left unable to eat and was hospitalised, weighing just nine stone. He admitted to having a breakdown following the end of their relationship and detailed how he "pressed the nuclear button on his seemingly perfect life", and tragically contemplated taking his own life.

He has since recovered and slowly built his life back together, securing even more TV roles. Despite embracing his 'Rylan' persona and securing himself as one of the country's most in-demand presenters under that name, to Rylan's mum and close family he will always go by his birth name, Ross.

Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me is streaming on Discovery+ and is on TNT Sports tonight at 10.45pm.

Frances Kindon