Ronan Keating has publicly come to Rylan Clark‘s defence after the backlash to his immigration comments, as he dedicated a song to the presenter during his performance at Radio 2 in the Park on Saturday.
Rylan, 36, was embroiled in controversy last week, after going on a passionate rant about migrants on This Morning, during a discussion about Reform leader Nigel Farage‘s plans for mass deportations.
His comments sparked a wave of criticism from viewers and a staggering 576 complaints to Ofcom.
However, Boyzone star Ronan, 48, rushed to his defence on Saturday, as he paid tribute to the X Factor alum onstage during his set.
Addressing the crowd, he said: ‘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.’
The singer quipped: ‘No-one’s ever heard it before. This is brand new, it’s about Essex, it’s about Rylan.
Ronan Keating has publicly come to Rylan Clark’s defence after the backlash to his immigration comments, as he dedicated a song to the presenter during his performance at Radio 2 in the Park on Saturday (pictured)
Rylan, 36, was embroiled in controversy last week, after going on a passionate rant about migrants on This Morning, during a discussion about Reform leader Nigel Farage ‘s plans for mass deportations (pictured)
‘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.’
Ronan then launched into a performance of his most famous Number One hit, When You Say Nothing At All in dedication to Rylan.
When asked how he felt about Ronan’s tribute, Rylan told Daily Mail: ‘I’m not going to talk about anything today,’ before adding, ‘I love Ronan, he’s a really good friend of mine.’
The TV star hit the headlines last month, after he revealed his immigration stance on This Morning, arguing that putting migrants who had crossed the Channel illegally in four-star hotels was ‘insane’.
He praised migrant doctors and nurses for saving his mother Linda’s life in hospital, saying they were paying taxes and ‘helping this country thrive’.
But he then claimed there was ‘something wrong’ about those crossing the English Channel in small boats being ‘welcomed’ and given medical help, a hotel and food.
Rylan added: ‘How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in, but if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?’
He also spoke about the ‘amount of people that are in this country that we have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of’.
However, Boyzone star Ronan, 48, rushed to his defence on Saturday, as he paid tribute to the X Factor alum onstage during his set
The TV star hit the headlines last month, after he revealed his immigration stance on This Morning, arguing that putting migrants who had crossed the Channel illegally in four-star hotels was ‘insane’
Speaking to guests Camilla Tominey and Tim Campbell, he insisted: ‘This isn’t me getting on my soapbox, because let me be honest, everyone’s going to have an opinion about this and you’re going to upset someone, some which way. I believe that something major needs to be done about this.
‘The money that it’s costing us, the amount of people that are in this country that we have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of – and clearly we see a lot of it in the press at the moment, what some are doing.
He went on: ‘I find it absolutely insane that all these people are, one, risking their lives to come across the Channel. And, two, when they get here, it does seem like: “Welcome. Come on in. Here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s the iPads.”
‘And then there’s people who have lived here all their lives. They are struggling. I believe that something major needs to be done about this.’
However, the comments did not go down well with many viewers, who accused the host of spreading misinformation about the asylum process in the UK.
The Home Office does not provide mobile phones and iPads to new arrivals because these are not considered a basic need, though sometimes charities and churches may do so, along with basic items like clothes and food.
Asylum seekers are entitled to free NHS care whilst claims are being processed.
Four-star hotels have been used to house asylum seekers, such as the Britannia International in Canary Wharf.
Following the intense backlash, Rylan subsequently took to social media to defend himself, writing: ‘You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women.
‘You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. The list continues. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.’
On Friday, he confirmed that it was his ‘last day’ on This Morning alongside co-host Josie Gibson, after the two filled in for presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd as they took their summer holidays.
