Ronan Keating has come to Rylan Clark’s defence while performing on stage after the host made some controversial comments on This Morning.
Ronan, 48, was performing at Radio 2 in the Park on Saturday when he made a special shout-out to Rylan, 36.
‘This is a big gig tonight, a nice vibe, we’re in Chelmsford – also we’re in the home of Rylan. I thought I might do something nice for Rylan tonight, so I wrote a song, especially for you all,’ he said mid-performance.
The former Boyzone singer quipped: ‘No-one’s ever heard it before. This is brand new, it’s about Essex, it’s about Rylan.
‘Just go with it – this is not the time to go to the toilet, or go to the bar. Look at all those people moving over there, you’ll regret it – come back.’
He then launched into a song that fans had most definitely heard as he sang his number one hit, When You Say Nothing At All.
Speaking to Daily Mail about how he felt about Ronan’s tribute, Rylan commented: ‘I’m not going to talk about anything today,’ before adding, ‘I love Ronan, he’s a really good friend of mine.’
This comes just days after Rylan sparked a huge amount of criticism and 576 complaints to Ofcom after his comments about immigration on This Morning.
The TV personality 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 discussion, 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.’
‘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.’
He then doubled down on his comments in a post on social media.
Far-right figure Tommy Robinson supported Rylan and wrote on X that his words were the most common sense ever spoken on ITV’s This Morning.
Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid also backed him up following the backlash.
Rylan and Ronan have been friends for some time, with the pair performing together at Ronan’s charity event, The Emeralds and Ivy Ball, in December 2012 in London.
Rylan has also interviewed the popstar and appeared alongside him on several television shows over the years.
Metro has reached out to Ronan Keating’s representatives for comment.
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