‘I'm popular because I'M NOT AN A******E!'

Rylan Clark-Neal tells Woman exactly what it’s like to be the busiest presenter on telly.

-  JANE ODDY

Since he first appeared as a young hopeful on The X Factor in 2012, the career of our favourite Essex boy Rylan Clark-Neal has skyrocketed. Starting with a string of presenting jobs, including This Morning, The Xtra Factor and Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, now Rylan, 31, has his own BBC Radio 2 show, co-presented Strictly’s It Takes Two with Zoe Ball, and hosts the recently rebooted Supermarket Sweep.

And earlier this month, he added another string to his bow when he anchored Channel 4’s election night coverage. Rylan has even found time to meet and marry the love of his life, former policeman Dan, 40, and become stepdad to his hubby’s son Cameron, now 20. Here, the man himself tells Woman about married life, being a baddie in Nativity! The Musical and how he will be cooking up a storm in 2020.

Hi, Rylan. We love you! You’re always so upbeat! What’s your secret?

That’s why I had the teeth put in – it looks like I’m always smiling! I am a positive person. But some days, you just think, I don’t feel well, or I’m tired, but I’d never be rude to anyone. I could be, literally, on my last legs, and working a 24-hour day and if someone came up to me for a selfie and I looked like Gollum, I’d still do it! No question! I remember my journey [from obscurity to bona fide celebrity status] and if it wasn’t for the public and their support, I wouldn’t be here now. Lots of celebrities seem to forget that!