Rylan Clark was the latest celebrity to face questions on The Assembly last night (May 24) — and the TV star opens up candidly about the breakdown of his marriage to ex-husband Dan Neal.
The presenter and Radio 2 host appeared on the ITV show on Sunday, where celebrities are interviewed by an audience made up of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people.
During the episode, Rylan was asked directly about cheating on his former husband and the impact it had on his life.
Rylan Clark addresses cheating on ex-husband Dan Neal on The Assembly
Just minutes into the programme, Rylan was confronted with a question about his marriage to former police officer Dan Neal.
The pair married in 2015 before divorcing in 2021 after Rylan admitted to being unfaithful years earlier.
On The Assembly, audience member Cameron asked: “When you told your husband you cheated on him, he divorced you. Is honesty always the best policy?”
Clearly surprised by the question, Rylan replied: “Yeah, I think it is. I’m OK with admitting when I’m in the wrong. I don’t deal well with guilt and I don’t deal well with secrets.”
The BBC Radio 2 presenter also admitted the end of his marriage had a huge effect on him personally.
He said the breakdown of the relationship “made him so ill” and confessed: “it might sound terrible to say, but I’m glad it happened”.
‘I don’t regret anything’
Later in the interview, Rylan was asked what he misses most about Dan. After pausing for a moment, he replied: “You know, I never think about him.”
He then continued: “I miss feeling like, ‘I’ve got it all.’ I thought I had life done. I’ve got the job, I’ve got the family, I’ve got the marriage, I’ve got the car, I’ve got the house. I thought I had it sussed, I didn’t have anything sussed.”
Rylan went on to admit: “I didn’t know what was a real relationship. And, I can look back and know that, I don’t regret anything.”
Since splitting from Dan, Rylan has moved on with fairground director Kennedy Bates. The pair went public with their relationship in January after enjoying a romantic trip to Italy together.
‘Used to like him, not anymore!’
Rylan’s episode was met with a mixed reaction. After opening up about cheating on Dan, many argued that he didn’t show enough remorse.
“Well, he should care, he hurt the person who loved and trusted him,” one user insisted.
“Well u should [care], it’s not nice to break someone’s heart,” another person shared.
“Not keen on him watched him and his Mum in Googglebox, sometimes he was not very nice in how he spoke to her. He has no regrets about cheating. I bet it would be a totally different sob story if he had been cheated on,” a third remarked.
“Used to like him….not anymore…..” a fourth said, performing a U-turn.
“Look for your karma. It’s coming,” a fifth added.
Meanwhile, another fan hit back: “Sad to say Rylan, you need to be loyal nowt going for anyone that cheats.”
Rylan on The Assembly: ‘Best one I’ve watched’
However, Rylan also received heaps of praise from viewers who enjoyed his interview.
“He was honest and open about his life when asked. Some very awkward questions he was asked,” one said.
“Best one I’ve watched,” another insisted.
“Great young man. Tells it how it is,” a third declared.
“Love Rylan, keep pushing forward,” a fourth added.