Rylan on his 'dream job' working for Jet2holidays in Tenerife
When Rylan became part of the award-winning Jet2holidays Red Team, he couldn't help but love every moment…
Tenerife was calling and Rylan jetted off with his mum Linda, but it wasn't for a regular holiday. He was joining the ranks of Jet2holidays to help make other people's getaways truly memorable – and his mum was set to be his most trying customer.
From leading aqua aerobics to announcing the flight departures, checking customers in, and organising days out, the TV presenter got to do it all.
'I absolutely loved it,' he says. 'I have always been obsessed with aviation, and years ago I tried to be cabin crew. I get excited just walking along, shutting the overhead lockers.'
When holidaymakers book with Jet2holidays , not only do they get their return flights and accommodation included, they also enjoy having 22kg baggage, 10kg hand luggage and return transfers* all wrapped up in one ATOL-protected package. And they can book with a low £60pp deposit**!
And with the famous Red Team of Customer Helpers dedicated to offering VIP service throughout, every holiday is seamless from start to finish. For the full experience, Rylan had a go at taking on all the different roles.
'It was amazing, but what was really fun is that I got to do everything. I got to help with check-in, and I got to help with baggage. I got to be cabin crew and be on the ground in the hotel to do the experiences.'
His greatest challenge? 'Wrangling my mum!'
'If you ever go on holiday with my mum and we're leaving at 9am, she's up at 5am to do loads of things, which is fine, you do you. But she doesn't just do her, she expects me to help her.
'The actual job was a breeze – everyone knows what they're doing. Looking after Linda? That's a whole other universe. Why do you think I've done so well in life? You can be on live TV three hours, no script, right as rain. A week in the sun with my mum, I could be president.'
He's joking, of course. Rylan and Linda spent plenty of time together when he wasn't donning the signature red uniform to join the Jet2holidays Red Team and enjoyed their chance to catch up over sunset dinners and relax by the pool.
'I didn't realise that you can always direct message Jet2holidays if you need them,' explains Rylan.
As well as speaking to the In-resort Customer Helpers, you can send a WhatsApp directly to Jet2holidays ' friendly advisors any time. Then simply continue with your holiday, and someone will message back as soon as they can.
'It's given me a newfound appreciation of all that they do. I realised how slick the operation is.
'I travel a lot with my job, but my mum doesn't, and she said to me 'I didn't realise how hard they work.'
When it comes to tailoring your own holiday, both Rylan and his mum were impressed with the variety of experiences on offer to book.
'What I was shocked by was the amount of things you can do, the list was longer than my legs and I'm 6″5.
'And the Customer Helpers really live out in the resorts, so they know absolutely everything. As they've been everywhere, they know what to recommend.'
When one family was looking for a great experience all ages would enjoy in Tenerife, Rylan recommended Siam Park waterpark, and he tagged along, too.
'My mum didn't want to go to the waterpark, but then she was loving life on the daybed at the park's beach.
'I didn't realise that, when you book it all with Jet2holidays , it's all organised for you. Nothing is a drama – you just have to turn up and go. I might pinch a couple of Customer Helpers for my own benefit.'
It's not just Rylan who recommends Jet2holidays – the company has also been named Travel Brand of the Year at the prestigious Which? Awards for three years in a row now!
When it came to relaxing, both Rylan and Linda loved their hotel too.
'I did package holidays when I was growing up and it was not like that, it was more like The Inbetweeners ,' laughs Rylan.
'If my mum loved it, then it was good. She loved that I could do my thing, she could do her thing, in the same place, and come back together. Everything was under one roof.'
Rylan also loved that everything was taken care of, and it was so easy to book experiences if they wanted to do any.
'That 22kg of luggage included is great, especially if you're travelling with family. I haven't got a family – I've just got a lot of stuff, and getting 22kg is a breeze.
'And when you're on holiday, you can do absolutely nothing and just lie by the pool. But if you want to do something, you've got options.'
If he were planning a trip with friends, Rylan would keep the Spanish theme going, especially because Jet2holidays ' flexible holiday durations mean you can escape for as long as you like, even if it's just for a long weekend.
'I'd go to Marbella or Ibiza, but do something like what we had. A tranquil hotel that's got the pools and is relaxed, but if we want to head out, then we can.'
And he knows he'd have a good time.
'With Jet2holidays , they've got you covered from when you're walking into that airport to when you're walking back out of it. Everything is taken care of. And if there is something else you think about, they're always there.
'It's like having a personal assistant!'
Fabulous five-star Majorca
Looking for sleek design, swim-up rooms and fabulous food? Then book the Zafiro Palace Alcudia.
Ideal for families, little ones will love the splash park, and grown-ups can relax in the stylish pool area. Go All Inclusive Plus or make the most of the location and explore the resort centre right nearby.
Family fun in Turkey
If you're travelling with family and friends, the three-star-plus Club Alize is the lively hotel that has it all. Just a short taxi ride away from the restaurants and shops of Marmaris, it offers fantastic value.
Spacious apartments come complete with kitchens, or you can go All Inclusive thanks to the two buffet restaurants.
Grown-up glamour in Portugal
Set on a stunning Algarve clifftop, this romantic, five-star spot is all sweeping ocean views and stylish design.
At Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel, you can toast to an unforgettable holiday from the rooftop cocktail bar. Be sure to sink into luxury in the spa and enjoy varied restaurants, as well as access to the many nearby golf courses.
Find out more about Rylan's Jet2holidays Customer Helper experience, and book now to lock in your summer 2025 getaway at Jet2holidays.com .
Don't forget, it just takes a low £60pp deposit** to get the ball rolling, and you'll have plenty included, like return transfers~. Plus, right now, you can save £100 per person in The Big Jet2 Price Drop^!
*Unless otherwise stated. **On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date. ~Unless otherwise stated. ^£100 per person off holidays for myJet2 members departing until 15 November 2026. myJet2 members will need to be logged into their account at the time of booking for the discount to automatically apply. Book online, via our app, through our call centre or with your travel agent. Please note the discount is not applied to children travelling on a Free Child Place. Terms and conditions apply; please see here for details.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Rylan has the makings of a great interviewer… if he could just stop playing to the gallery
There is absolutely no point in trying to resist Rylan. The man with the Ken-doll face has become more ubiquitous than Alison Hammond. When it comes to television, Rylan is an ever-expanding foam, filling every available gap. He's been on The X Factor and he's hosted The Xtra Factor; he's been on Celebrity Big Brother (and won) and he's hosted Celebrity Big Brother. He's been on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Gogglebox and Celebrity Ghost Hunt. He's hosted Supermarket Sweep, Ready Steady Cook and Sport Relief. He is now so intertwined with Eurovision that he appeared as himself in Doctor Who last month, as the perpetual host of the 'Interstellar Song Contest', emerging from deep freeze once a year. Age shall not weary him. When I close my eyes, I see Rylan. He is burnt into my retinas. Now he is coming for my ears. Not only does he have his own Radio 2 slot, on Saturday afternoons, but the BBC are positioning him as a podcast mensch. Following How to Be a Man and How to Be in the Spotlight comes How to Be in Love (BBC Sounds, Wednesdays), a 12-part series in which Rylan intends to discover the 'secrets of healthy, long-term relationships' (Rylan's marriage broke down in 2021, so the mission is personal). Given that he emerged into the national consciousness as an absurd plastic pop contrivance, it's remarkable that Rylan is now given the heaviest of topics. It's like Jedward being asked to do a series on the Troubles (actually, I'd give that a listen). Except the secret was out some time ago that 'Rylan' is a construct and that the man beneath the Botox – real name, Ross Clark – is far more witty and intelligent than we'd previously suspected. Those qualities were in evidence in the opening episode of the podcast – sorry, the visualised podcast, which I think just means they filmed it too – in which Rylan asked Stephen Fry to answer the question, 'What is love?' Not before, however, he blew enough smoke up the 'legendary' Fry's backside ('You're an icon… a national treasure') that you could have sailed the 67-year-old over Mont Blanc. Fry is a little like Rylan, in that you know what you are going to get from him. He launched gamely into the evolution of love over a lifetime, from finding it tedious as a child ('It ruined movies – the adventure would stop and they would start kissing. Boo!') to those adolescent first flushes. I enjoyed Fry describing a teenager in love for the first time as feeling like they have joined a 'special band of people in history', putting you on a par with Romeo. 'Or Katie Price,' quipped Rylan, playing to the gallery. I rather like Rylan, though he has something of a 'dirty burger' approach to his interviews, always deliberately undercutting anything too profound with something cheerfully coarse, as if afraid his fans would see the Ross emerging from under the Rylan if proceedings became a bit too grown-up. Fry can do coarse, of course, and the two men bonded over the enjoyably crude way they faced down homophobic bullying at school. In fact, at one point Fry, who spent 15 years celibate across the 1980s and 1990s, got so scatological that even Rylan recoiled: 'Stop – I'm going to end up celibate after this.' Rylan missed a few tricks in this interview, defaulting too quickly to his brand persona before Fry could delve deeper into certain subjects. His celibacy, for instance, came from a mixture of the personal and the circumstantial, including the outbreak of the Aids epidemic. He was a young gay man, new to London and ready to embrace life, when suddenly he 'started going to funerals'. This too quickly segued into Rylan asking Fry about masturbation. More fruitful – though rather off the central topic – was the pair discussing their mental health. Fry is bipolar, while Rylan suffered a breakdown when his marriage ended, attempted suicide and ended up on a psychiatric ward. It was refreshing to hear Fry discuss his bipolar disorder as something with a positive side. 'You're more alive,' he said. When a cabbie remarked that he'd 'gone off the rails', Fry had an epiphany: 'Why would you want to be on rails? Being bipolar took me off the rails and I could gallop free in the wild countryside.' It was a rare insight and Rylan, sensibly, didn't interrupt. One can't blame Rylan for being a bit overexposed at the moment – we'd all take the work if we were offered it – but if I had one piece of advice for him as he continues his podcast journey, it's this: let's hear a bit more of what Ross has to say. We get enough of Rylan on the telly, perhaps us radioheads could have a little more of the real thing.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Take a culinary tour of the Costa Dorada: from traditional eats to haute cuisine
Stretching along the Mediterranean, the Costa Dorada (locally known as Costa Daurada) is not only beautiful but has a reputation for seriously delicious cuisine. Thanks to its proximity to the water, seafood is a highlight. But its mountainous inland terrain also offers up a wide variety of meat and vegetables, as well as a wonderful terroir for a wealth of wine varieties. What's more, with Jet2holidays flying to the Costa Dorada from 12 UK airports and a range of two to five-star accommodation, it's easy to plan your next culinary adventure. Jet2holidays is always giving you more, to help make planning and booking as smooth as possible. That goes for the PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments** option, as well as the 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage, and return transfers† that are included. Look out for Free Child Places***, and infants under two go free‡. From great eateries and foodie experiences to the best local dishes to try, here's what you can look forward to on your gastronomic travels… Delicious traditional dishes Begin your travels with a journey around some of the region's most delicious traditional dishes. Like xató; originating from Tarragona, it's made with escarole (similar to an endive), tomato and salt cod or tuna, and served with a sauce made from almonds and ñoras (dried peppers).Another popular fish-based dish is suquet de peix, a tasty stew which features a variety of seafood and vegetables. Meanwhile, many menus also offer the likes of arròs caldós, a soupy rice dish, rossejat, a seafood pasta dish, and mar i muntanya, which combines seafood and meat, reflecting the region's 'sea and mountain' cuisine. You'll find all these, and more, in local restaurants in some of the region's most charming locations, all around Costa Dorada, or look out for them on the menu at one of the restaurant options at your Jet2holidays hotel. Fabulous foodie experiences Time your visit for a calçotada, a festive Catalan gathering held between November and April, where people celebrate the harvest of calçots (a type of large, sweet onion). It's usually served grilled with romesco, sauce, accompanied by meat and wine. For a truly authentic experience, head to Valls, the birthplace of the tradition. Olive oil is also a revered ingredient in the Costa Dorada; going back to ancient times, olive cultivation is a key part of the region's Mediterranean heritage. Centres, museums and historical mills offer tours combined with tastings, walks among olive groves and gastronomic menus with lashings of olive oil. Head to the Olive Oil Interpretation Centre in Vandellòs, located in an old olive mill, where you'll observe everything about the production process, from harvesting to bottling. Or follow the Priorat olive oil route, which offers 26 different experiences aimed at discovering and tasting the finest extra virgin oil. There's even an olive oil cycling route, which meanders through the region of Baix Camp, just 20 minutes from Tarragona. It produces one of Catalonia's most famous olive oils under the DOP Siurana. Finally, don't miss a trip to the nearby village of Riudecanyes, dotted with many olive trees that are over 100 years old. The world of wine (and vermouth) The Costa Dorada promotes enogastronomy, the art of pairing wine with food, so you'll always have something delicious to drink alongside your meal. The whole area, particularly the DOQ (Denominació d'Origen Qualificada) Priorat region, is known for great wine, especially robust reds. But you'll also find fabulous red, white and rosé wines from the Designations of Origin Montsant, Tarragona, Conca de Barberà, and Penedès. Embark on a wine trail through Priorat, to discover grape varieties such as Carignan, Grenache and Grenache blanc. Take tours through vineyards, learn about the wine-making process and, most importantly, enjoy tastings. Close to Priorat area, Conca de Barberà, produces light red and fruity rosés; while closer to the coast, Penedés is famous for its sparkling Cava. Moreover, the Costa Dorada – particularly the elegant city of Reus, birthplace of legendary architect Antoni Gaudí – is also known for vermouth, a sweet, aromatic fortified wine flavoured with botanicals, herbs and spices. Find out more at the city's Vermouth Museum, dedicated to the culture of this unique drink with a collection of over 6,500 items related to it. Then set out on the Reus Vermouth Route. This features dozens of establishments which either serve it or are connected to its history, including its incredible modernist architecture. Eateries for everyone The Costa Dorada brims with producers and professionals who pride themselves on showcasing the region's gastronomy. Many also make sure they only offer local products – known as the 'Slow food kilometre zero' initiative. You'll also find plenty of fantastic restaurants which serve locally-sourced dishes which prioritise local and organic farming and use seasonal ingredients. This way, you're connected to tradition and authenticity by what's on your plate. If you're looking for even more elevated cuisine, head to Cambrils – known as the gastronomic capital of the Costa Dorada, with two Michelin-starred restaurants alone. Or you could venture to Salou or Cornudella de Montsant for some out-of-this-world fine dining. At your Jet2holidays hotel, make sure you delve into the diverse cuisines and speciality dishes on offer, as well as the ever-changing live chef stations and in-house pop-ups. And if you're planning to take a taste of the Costa Dorada back home, make sure you visit local producers for excellent sweets, jams, rice, vinegar, hazelnuts and more. There's also a wealth of great places for families to eat out. Head to Salou for fab ice cream parlours, ideal for hot, sunny days, or to Cambrils for buffet-style eateries, where every family member can choose exactly what they want. Reus has a selection of brilliant local markets, such as the Mercat Central and the Mercat del Carrilet, where you can purchase traditional produce, from meats and cheeses to delicious bread, to take to the beach for the perfect picnic. With Jet2holidays, you can book your trip to the Costa Dorada with lots of package perks thrown into make getting away even easier. From a low £60 per person deposit*, PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments** , 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage per person to return transfers†, it's all included. Families can make the most of Free Child Places***, while infants under two go free‡. And with flights included and the choice of two to five-star hotels, Jet2holidays is always giving you more. For more Costa Dorada travel inspiration, and to find and book your ultimate holiday, visit Jet2holidays. Plus, right now, myJet2 members can save £100 per person§ in The Big Jet2 Sale (correct at original publish date). *On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date. **Spread the cost over three interest-free payments. Available when booked online, for holidays under £2,000, departing within ten weeks. ***One free child place per two paying passengers. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply, please see for further details. †Unless otherwisestated. ‡Applicable for all infants under the age of two years on the date of return. Infants are not entitled to a flight seat (they must be seated with a parent or guardian) or a 22kg baggage allowance. §£100 per person off holidays for myJet2 members departing until 15 November 2026. myJet2 members will need to be logged into their account at the time of booking for the discount to automatically apply. Book online, via our app, through our call centre or with your travel agent. Please note the discount is not applied to children travelling on a free child place. Terms and conditions apply, please see for details.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Rylan Clark admits he felt like a 'complete failure' after his divorce from ex-husband Dan Neal
has emotionally admitted he felt like a 'failure' following his divorce from ex-husband Dan Neal. The TV presenter, 36, split with Dan in 2021 after six years of marriage when Rylan admitted he cheated on him. On what would have been their ten-year wedding anniversary this year, Rylan got candid about how he felt following the divorce. Speaking on his new podcast Rylan: How to Be in Love with Stephen Fry, he said: 'We got married in 2015. 'That same year, yeah. So it would have been my 10 year anniversary this year.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Stephen then asked if Rylan felt any kind of responsibility to represent gay marriage, as one of the few LGBTQ + celebrities. 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.' Stephen reassured: 'No, you're not, exactly. You're not a poster child for gayness.' Rylan continued: 'But you do feel like, yeah I'm going to get married, I want to get married, I can get married. 'But when it doesn't work out you don't want people to go, "you see that's why they f****** shouldn't get married".' Stephen was quick to insist: 'You can get married again if you want…', causing Rylan to hint at his divorce struggles as he quipped: 'Yeah with a prenup this time, I'm not going through that again.' Rylan previously revealed his own infidelity during his marriage with Dan caused the downfall of their relationship. After he revealed that he had been unfaithful, Dan eventually ended the relationship after the heart-wrenching confession. Following the heartbreak and the deterioration of his marriage, Rylan had suicidal thoughts and his weight dropped to just nine stone. He opened up about these challenging times in his second autobiography, TEN: The Decade That Changed My Future. In the book, he penned a candid 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.'
