Rylan Clark shares his biggest regret in heartbreaking divorce admission
Rylan Clark has made a heartbreaking divorce admission four years after his split. The TV presenter broke up with his husband Dan Neal back in 2021 after six years of marriage.
The 36-year-old has been open about the reason for their split, with Rylan admitting that he was unfaithful to his ex-husband early on into their relationship – not expecting his husband would leave him when he confessed in 2021. Four years after the heartbreaking split, he has now spoken candidly about the difficult time that he experience afterwards.
Rylan opened up on the latest episode of his own podcast where he was chatting to Love Island star Tasha Ghouri. On the How to Be... podcast, he said: "When I went through my divorce, I had a full-on breakdown because it wasn't just us.
"It felt like it wasn't just us, even though it was just me and my ex. I felt that everyone's going to think this of me. Everyone's going to think, 'Oh look, his life isn't perfect. Oh look, he's failed like that.' I just felt like a failure."
As he was talking about the difficult break up, he still acknowledged that it was still the "right thing to happen". This isn't the first time that Rylan has talked about his marriage on his podcast.
He was chatting to Stephen Fry as he explained: "We got married in 2015. That same year, yeah. So it would have been my 10 year anniversary this year."
Stephen then asked if Rylan felt any kind of responsibility to represent gay marriage as an LGBTQ+ celebrity. He asked: "But did you feel also that - when it broke up and you were divorced – did you feel that there was in some sense you were letting down the idea of gay marriage, because we have a duty to show that our marriages are as robust and strong as any heterosexual?"
Rylan said: "There was part of me that just felt like a complete and utter failure. I felt like I'd failed personally, but I felt like I'd found publicly on behalf of - the gays! You know, I'm not, I'm not 'head gay', it's not that."
TV star Rylan admitted he cheated on Dan during their relationship which was ultimately the cause of the downfall of their marriage. Dan decided to end the relationship after Rylan had come clean about being unfaithful earlier on in their romance.
Rylan found that he was having suicidal thoughts after the split and he dropped down to just nine stone in weight. He discussed the challenging times in his second autobiography, TEN: The Decade That Changed My Future.
In the book, he wrote reflection and said: "I got in a relationship quite young and just went with it. Now I know I'm my own person. I'm not going to settle for something that's not right. In a way it's been a bit of a gift.
"I'm happy to have sex with someone and that's that, that's not a problem. But do I want more? Of course I want more. Am I going to enjoy myself on the way? Abso-f***ing-lutely."
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Love Island revives conversation about racial bias and misogynoir in dating
It used to be that dating was as simple as deciding between dinner, a trip to the movies or an arcade. Now, understanding the dating scene has become intermingled with smartphones, matchmaking apps and one's ability to navigate thorny social issues like racial preference in a mate. 'Love Island,' a widely popular international reality television franchise, is emblematic of the complexities of modern dating. It has also sparked heated discussions among fans about the desirability of Black women and darker-complexioned people both on and off air. The show, which aired the finale of the seventh season of its U.S. version Sunday and is airing the 12th season of its U.K. version, casts conventionally attractive 'islanders' who are generally in their early to late 20s for a six- to eight-week stay in a luxury villa. Men and women compete for long-lasting relationships and a cash prize. But as the show's daters face challenges meant to test their bonds, as well as elimination by villa mates or by fans' vote, notions of who is and isn't desirable frequently come up for viewers and contestants alike. In the end, many fans are left with the perception that racial bias, colorism and misogyny are especially inescapable for Black women on reality dating shows. 'The diversity in the U.K. one is terrible,' said Oghosa Ovienrioba, a content creator from London. 'It's very anti-Black.' It's not simply that Black women are picked last for coupling or eliminated first on the U.K. or U.S. versions of the show. Many fans say there's a recurring theme of suitors dumping or ditching Black female contestants when there is a fairer skinned option. Black female contestants have also complained of not doing well on the show when they don't lower their standards for intimacy with a suitor, as though they are lucky to even been considered dating material among more desirable mates. Even with these viewer frustrations, Ovienrioba said she prefers ' Love Island USA.' 'I feel like the dark skin Black women on that show always find men who fit their vibe, who respect them, who are attracted to them, desire them, treat them like queens," she said. 'Love Island' U.K. irks fans over treatment of Black women In the U.K. version, fans have counted multiple instances where Black female contestants were left as the last choice when couples were picked, or they were first to get eliminated and dumped from the villa. Many have also noted that it took eleven seasons before a darker-complexioned Black woman was declared the winner. Now in its 12th season, Love Island U.K. is still dogged by allegations of male contestants' bias against Black women. After 23-year-old Alima Gagigo, a Black woman, chose to couple up with 26-year-old Blu Chegini, a white man, he said, 'I'll be honest, on paper, you're not my type.' Gagigo responded, 'Of course,' as if those were words she was not surprised to hear. There is no evidence that Chegini was referring to Gagigo's race or ethnicity. But the exchange was enough to confirm what some in audience felt was an implicit bias against Black women in the villa. 'Love Island's only stipulation is that applicants are over 18, single and looking for love. Our application and casting process is inclusive to all and we are always aiming to reflect the age and diversity of our audience on the show,' a show spokesperson for 'Love Island U.K.' said. Black American contestants, too, say their complexion impacts their treatment JaNa Craig, a contestant on 'Love Island USA's' beloved sixth season, which aired last summer, landed a spot in the final four couples by the end of the competition alongside Kenny Rodriguez, who entered the villa 13 days into the season. Her bubbly personality made her a fan favorite. Although she initially worried about how viewers felt about her, the positive audience reaction culminated in her being deemed the 'baddest girl in Love Island history,' which means hot or beautiful in slang terms. Still, she felt some male contestants may not have been interested in her and Serena Page, another Black female contestant, because of their skin complexion. Page went on to win that season of 'Love Island USA.' 'The very first time I felt special is when the very first guy picked me because he had three options. Other than that, I always felt like I was getting the short end of the stick,' Craig said. 'Even though we know our worth and we know we're beautiful, we still felt like — not good enough.' Ultimately, Craig felt proudest when she heard from other Black women who said they appreciated her representation on the show, given the perception that Black women are less desirable on dating shows. 'I felt honored by the amount of Black girls that were like, 'JaNa, you inspire me,'' she said. 'Love Island USA' producer Peacock, which on Sunday debuted a spinoff to its popular Season 6 season, titled 'Love Island: Beyond the Villa,' declined comment for this story. Desirability concerns reflect real-world anti-Black sentiments Fans' and contestants' concerns about Black women's representation on the show reflect a real-world anti-Black and misogynistic views of Black women, commonly referred to as misogynoir. Scholars describe it as both implicit and explicit contempt for Black women, much of it rooted in racist stereotypes that are perpetuated in popular culture and mass media. While Love Island contestants are not being outright racist to Black female competitors, many viewers feel the interactions Black women have had on the show have been laced with implicit bias. Few viewers see anything wrong with 'Love Island' contestants being open about the specific traits they look for in potential suitors. Tall over short, fit over average build, tattooed over unmarked. But contestants' racial preferences, whether real or simply perceived by fans of the show, can't be seen as objective truth about who is or is not desirable in the world, said Alexandria Beightol, host of the podcast 'Apathy Is Not An Option' at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights and legal advocacy nonprofit. 'You recognizing you have a type should also be you recognizing you are a product of a lot of mass media,' Beightol said. The show's producers should see the show's popularity as an opportunity to dispel and not reinforce notions of beauty, especially ones harmful to Black women and darker-complexioned people, she added. 'It would behoove you to have some producers that look like some of the women on there who can kind of anticipate some of that drama,' Beightol said. 'They do frame those women as beautiful. In the history of reality programming, they've busted through a lot of the implicit views that the media used to hold itself to.'
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island's Rheo SLAMS Harry as a ‘game player' and reveals moment that never made it to air
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Former Love Island star Rheo has slammed Harry Cooksley as a 'game player'. The ITV2 personality appeared on Aftersun with Maya Jama as she revealed several moments that never made it onto the airwaves. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 Casa Amor's Rheo slammed Harry Cooksley for his actions on the show 8 The pair got to know each other in Casa Amor Credit: Eroteme 8 The semi-professional footballer made fans feel sick with his sexual comments Credit: Eroteme Rheo Parnell entered Love Island on day 27 of the 12th series during the infamous Casa Amor twist. While on the show, the 26-year-old ring girl got to know semi-footballer Harry, 30. At first, he tried to stay respectful to Helena Ford by sleeping on the daybeds as he was joined on the show by his ex-girlfriend Emma Munro. However, after it was revealed that he cheated on his girlfriend, fans wondered if he went back to his old ways by getting to know Rheo. The pair were seen kissing in bed as Harry made fans feel sick when he told her that he would give her an orgasm. Teasing sex in their future, he also remarked: "I think we'll maybe see sooner than you think." Now Rheo is having her say on the situation after Harry chose to come back to the main villa alone and stay in a couple with Helena. Maya asked the star if she was surprised not to be brought back from Casa Amor. She replied: "to be honest, I was as shocked as the rest of the nation, like, it's Harry, to be fair, what did I expect? "But I was actually a bit shocked with him, because we did get deep. Harry has a deep level." Shock moment Maya Jama slams Harry and Helena as 'embarrassing' as six islanders are axed She then found humour in the situation as exclaimed: "I found it like we're going for that one." Rheo added: "But I was shocked, also not shocked, because he's playing a game, like that big game." Maya then asked what sort of a game he was playing, to which Rheo explained: "I think he wanted to repair his reputation there. "Just go in, go with Helena, and hopefully get to the end. I know he's got a game plan." Love Island 2025 - Casa Amor girls WHO are the latest bombshells heading into the spin-off villa? The Sun exclusively reported the identities of the six beauties heading into the ITV2 spin-off villa, after it was teased during last week's episode. The Love Island newbies were seen strolling into the compound clad in swimwear - with one already having a connection to Harry. On the show's official Instagram page it teased: "Amor the merrier… who's ready for Casa Amor?" and now we can report the full line-up. Lauren Wood, 26, Emma Munro, 30 Lucy Quinn, 21 Yasmin Broom, 26 Andrada Pop, 27 Rheo Parnell, 26 The presenter then brought up the movie night twist as Rheo interjected: "I feel like he got off scott free. "Do you understand how much went on that wasn't like in that movie night? I was begging." The host then asked what it was that viewers didn't see and Rheo stated "I mean, I can tell you all sorts." "[He said] stuff, like; 'Our chats with you are just so different. With Helena, it's only ever sexual with her. This is so much better. I could take back to my mother'. She added: But all this stuff like running his mouth, you know. Harry strikes again. I said it like he does." 8 After Casa Amor, Harry chose to stay with Helena Ford Credit: Eroteme 8 This is despite the fact he didn't waste any time flirting and kissing Rheo Credit: Eroteme 8 Rheo broke her silence on her short-lived summer romance 8 Maya Jama wanted to get all the gossip on Love Island Aftersun Credit: ITV2 8 She admitted that there were lots of unseen moments Credit: ITV2 Love Island continues on ITV2 and is available to stream on ITVX.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Love Island's Rheo SLAMS Harry as a ‘game player' and reveals moment that never made it to air
Former Love Island star Rheo has slammed Harry Cooksley as a 'game player'. The ITV2 personality appeared on Aftersun with Maya Jama as she revealed several moments that never made it onto the airwaves. 8 8 8 Rheo Parnell entered Love Island on day 27 of the 12th series during the infamous Casa Amor twist. While on the show, the 26-year-old ring girl got to know semi-footballer Harry, 30. At first, he tried to stay respectful to Helena Ford by sleeping on the daybeds as he was joined on the show by his ex-girlfriend Emma Munro. However, after it was revealed that he cheated on his girlfriend, fans wondered if he went back to his old ways by getting to know Rheo. The pair were seen kissing in bed as Harry made fans feel sick when he told her that he would give her an orgasm. Teasing sex in their future, he also remarked: "I think we'll maybe see sooner than you think." Now Rheo is having her say on the situation after Harry chose to come back to the main villa alone and stay in a couple with Helena. Maya asked the star if she was surprised not to be brought back from Casa Amor. She replied: "to be honest, I was as shocked as the rest of the nation, like, it's Harry, to be fair, what did I expect? "But I was actually a bit shocked with him, because we did get deep. Harry has a deep level." Shock moment Maya Jama slams Harry and Helena as 'embarrassing' as six islanders are axed She then found humour in the situation as exclaimed: "I found it like we're going for that one." Rheo added: "But I was shocked, also not shocked, because he's playing a game, like that big game." Maya then asked what sort of a game he was playing, to which Rheo explained: "I think he wanted to repair his reputation there. "Just go in, go with Helena, and hopefully get to the end. I know he's got a game plan." Love Island 2025 - Casa Amor girls WHO are the latest bombshells heading into the spin-off villa? The Sun exclusively reported the identities of the six beauties heading into the ITV2 spin-off villa, after it was teased during last week's episode. The Love Island newbies were seen strolling into the compound clad in swimwear - with one already having a connection to Harry. On the show's official Instagram page it teased: "Amor the merrier… who's ready for Casa Amor?" and now we can report the full line-up. Lauren Wood, 26, Emma Munro, 30 Lucy Quinn, 21 Yasmin Broom, 26 Andrada Pop, 27 Rheo Parnell, 26 The presenter then brought up the movie night twist as Rheo interjected: "I feel like he got off scott free. "Do you understand how much went on that wasn't like in that movie night? I was begging." The host then asked what it was that viewers didn't see and Rheo stated "I mean, I can tell you all sorts." "[He said] stuff, like; 'Our chats with you are just so different. With Helena, it's only ever sexual with her. This is so much better. I could take back to my mother'. She added: But all this stuff like running his mouth, you know. Harry strikes again. I said it like he does." 8 8 8 8 8
