![GIFT OF THE GAB](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10252/424899/5e69dd80bb08d/GIFT-OF-THE-GAB.jpg)
After winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, Rylan Clark-Neal was soon snapped up to present spin-off chat show Big Brother’s Bit on the Side leading to his role as a key player on This Morning.
Last year alone saw Rylan interview Madonna on The One Show, appear on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox with his mum, co-present Strictly: It Takes Two on BBC2, land his own programme on BBC Radio 2 and hired by ITV to bring back cult game show Supermarket Sweep. He is currently delighting audiences as the host of relaunched 90 hit series, Ready Steady Cook on BBC1.
Born Ross Richard Clark, Rylan is still just 31 years old, but his life has changed dramatically in the last decade since his flamboyant debut on The X Factor in 2012. And his story is all the more heart-warming from his difficult roots in East London’s Stepney Green, teased for his chubby looks and ginger hair. After moving to Stanford le Hope, the natural comedian grew into a svelte teenager with a love for grooming and a quest for fame.
Big Brother’s Little Brother was very new territory for Rylan, but his passion for the product meant he learned the ropes in record time. He has this break to thank, not just for kick starting an infectious presenting journey, but for finding love with series 14 housemate Dan Neal, 41, a former police officer.
The pair married in 2015 and are now settled in a luxury five-bedroom home with Dan’s son Cameron, 20. And this Essex bolthole is where extravagances begin and end for Rylan, who stresses he is only high maintenance in appearance.
Despite proving his flair for cooking by reaching the final of Celebrity MasterChef in 2015, he makes it hilariously clear that the venture into a world of flowing fine wine and exotic canapes hasn’t changed his tastes.
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Essex Life.
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Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Essex Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![The rise of maskne](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8eea3b74f95/crp_The-rise-of-maskne.jpg)
The rise of maskne
With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne
![The forgotten lady](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee4f29cb7e/crp_The-forgotten-lady.jpg)
The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
![Stride out in the Sampfords](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee1abd46f5/crp_Stride-out-in-the-Sampfords.jpg)
Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
![MUCH TO TALK ABOUT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee816a7c9d/crp_MUCH-TO-TALKABOUT.jpg)
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
![LIFE and SOUL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8edcff21042/crp_LIFE-and-SOUL.jpg)
LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
![Lest we forget](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8edeb89888f/crp_Lest-we-forget.jpg)
Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
![Lakeside Magic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee0a0a18f8/crp_Lakeside-Magic.jpg)
Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
![Keep on running](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8edba961078/crp_Keep-on-running.jpg)
Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
![Cheers!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee95b8a192/crp_Cheers.jpg)
Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
![A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee2e749993/crp_A-doggy-day-out-on-Saffron-Walden.jpg)
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town