Dating Naked’s Rylan responds to backlash over immigration comments made on This Morning
Rylan has responded to criticism sparked by comments made on ITV’s This Morning on immigration. Getty/Mike Marsland)
Rylan has responded to criticism sparked by comments made on ITV's This Morning on immigration. Getty/Mike Marsland)
Rylan has responded to criticism after comments slamming illegal immigration were met with backlash by viewers.
Popular TV personality Rylan made the comments on Wednesday’s (27 August) episode of ITV’s This Morning, during a segment discussing recent ‘mass deportation’ plans proposed by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The plans suggested that the party would be prepared to deport 600,000 illegal migrants over five years, if it won at the next election.
“You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes,” Rylan wrote in a statement posted to Instagram and X, after viewers slammed his comments against illegal immigrants, which claimed they were given luxuries like iPads.
“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 [sic, now X].”
Speaking to co-hosts Josie Gibson, Camilla Tominey and Tim Campbell, Rylan praised legal immigrants to the UK, saying: “[The UK] is built on immigration. Legal immigration — a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life, have come over here from other countries.
“They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.”
But continuing, Rylan said: “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.”
The Dating Naked UK host added: “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.”
His comments come amid rising tensions over the Government’s handling of asylum accommodations.
Rylan’s comments were praised by some, including right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. He was jailed for 18 months in late 2024 for repeatedly making false allegations against a Syrian refugee in violation of an injunction, and was released in May this year after his sentence was reduced.
Other criticised his viewpoint. One viewer wrote: “Mostly agreeable but its not illegal to come here to seek asylum whether its in a small boat or not.” It is
“You were talking about a narrative being spread, but all you did was reinforce it!!” another said.
With the Illegal Migration Act (2023), the government can deny people the right to claim refugee protection based solely on how they arrived in the UK, detaining people for as long as the government considers ‘reasonable’ before sending them back.
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