WITH millions in the bank and a handsome husband by his side, telly favourite Rylan Clark thought he had it made.
But when his six-year marriage fell apart last year, the 33-year-old suffered dark thoughts as his mental health hit rock bottom.
In his most upfront and honest chat since the split from Dan Neal, he has opened up about the heartbreaking truth behind his breakdown.
Strictly: It Takes Two host Rylan told The Celeb Report: “I’ve got to learn to trust again.”
And ten months on since their break-up, Rylan admits he’s still “f***ed up” by what happened as he slowly begins to “find a new life”.
“Regardless of what happened in that relationship and how I was made to feel, I thought my life was sorted,” said Rylan, speaking at No7’s Pro Derm Scan launch last night.
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“I had my career, I had my family, but then I suddenly didn’t…
“All of a sudden I feel like I’ve gone back ten years, but I’m ten years more advanced.
“I’m in a very different position to where I was back then – financially and career-wise.
“I’ve just got to learn to trust again. I was in a ten-year relationship and when you learn things… It f***s you up. I don’t know how long I’ll be f***ed up for.
“I’m good in myself, but it’s going to take someone f***ing special… It’s not a quick fix.”
When his life spiralled out of control last summer, Rylan turned to his “telly mum and dad” Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
He admits they were left “frightened and shocked” when his mental health deteriorated in the aftermath of the split.
“There was a point when I was really, really bad when I went back to my house that I’d moved out of,” Rylan explained.
“I hadn’t been there for so long because I didn’t feel comfortable.
“My mum and sister-in-law were acting really weird and I didn’t know why. Next thing, Eamonn and Ruth turned up and I just broke down.
“They were frightened. They were really shocked at the state I was in.”
Breaking off as his eyes filled with tears, an emotional Rylan admitted: “I’m getting upset just thinking about it.”
Rylan first found fame as a contestant on The X Factor in 2012. He then became one of Britain’s most popular TV faces after winning Celebrity Big Brother the following year.
It was then Rylan met his former policeman ex while interviewing him on the spin-off show Bit on the Side after contestant Dan was evicted.
They married two years later and went on to make history when they became the first gay couple to present This Morning in 2016.
Throughout Rylan’s decade-long career, he’s often been described as the busiest man in showbiz – hosting Ready Steady Cook, Supermarket Sweep and Strictly spin-off It Takes Two — alongside a string of other screen appearances.
But last summer The Celeb Report revealed Rylan was taking a break from his radio and TV roles to deal with his divorce.
The 6ft4 presenter’s weight plummeted to under ten stone. He was admitted to hospital “for safety reasons” and had four months off work.
Asked if he had any regrets, Rylan replied: “No”, before quickly adding: “Actually, that’s a lie. I wish I didn’t get as ill as I got, but that was out of my control.”
And revealing the turning point he reached that helped him get better, Rylan said mysteriously: “Knowledge and realisation”.
He adds: “Maybe I just have to start enjoying the life I was lucky enough to get.”
It’s a relief to see Rylan back on good form and flashing his famous veneers as he spoke at beauty brand No7’s star-studded event on Tuesday night.
He joined Strictly stars Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the Londoner Hotel to celebrate the launch of No7’s new Pro Derm Scan.
Rylan will soon release his brand-new memoir, Ten: The Decade that Changed My Future, thought to be an intimate insight into his pursuit of fame and recent heartbreak.
Straight-talker Rylan promises: “It’s about to get a hell of a lot more honest in the book.”
Despite the painful end to his marriage, Rylan has proved he’s not given up on love.
He joined dating app Tinder six months ago, writing in his bio: “Tall normal bloke – 6’4” – am I actually on this thing?”
Rylan has also been making the most of his single life on wild nights out with pals – and even his mum Linda.
In a recent candid post on Twitter however, Rylan told how he was missing being in a relationship.
He wrote: “Ever have a night out where u have a really good night with friends… However on the way home u sit and think, would much rather a night in with Netflix and someone u care about… yeah that babe.”
Revealing hopes of finding The One, Rylan told us: “I want nothing more than to be with someone who supports me and I support them and is proud of me and is happy for me and vice versa. That’s all I want.
“But I’m in no rush. It has to be right.
“I’ve realised at this age that if I have my family, my management team and my make-up artist then I’m sorted – and if anyone else comes along then fantastic, but I’m very happy with what I’ve got.
“I’ve spent a hell of a lot of time on my own and hidden away by being off work.
“Now I’m back at work and I’m slowly finding a new life. That’s what I’m doing.”
- The No7 Pro Derm Scan service is available in 459 Boots stores across the UK and ROI and bookings can be made in-store or online here.
