FOR Rylan Clark, last Christmas was “an odd one”.
The telly presenter’s husband of six years, Dan Neal, had walked out on him six months earlier, when the Strictly It Takes Two host confessed he’d been unfaithful “years ago”.
Rylan subsequently struggled with his mental health and said he would go to sleep praying he "wouldn’t wake up" – and ultimately tried to end his life.
He was later admitted to a mental hospital to aid his recovery amid a five-month career break.
For this reason, he’s very much looking forward to a relaxed Christmas with his mum Linda – who he exclusively reveals is doing much better after a recent health scare, just in time for the festive period.
Linda suffers from Crohn's disease, for which there is no cure, and uses a drip feed to eat her meals.
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The duo had to take some time off from Celebrity Gogglebox earlier this year when she suffered a flare-up.
Rylan previously revealed he built his mum a house so she could live closer to him, and he could keep an eye on her.
The This Morning presenter tells us: “She's not too bad. She had a bit of a health issue a few weeks back, but she's doing really, really well, just in time for Christmas. That's important."
Rylan adds: “It sounds ridiculous, but I just want a nice Christmas this year.
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7“Last Christmas was a little bit odd for me, so yeah I just want to have a nice Christmas where I can enjoy myself, have a laugh, play some stupid games, see some people I need to see and catch up with, and just do what I want to do.
"Just, completely selfishly, do what I want.”
Single life
A year-and-a-half on from his and Dan’s split, Rylan is feeling more upbeat about being single.
He jokes: “[Single life is] cold. I mean, no, it’s fine.
“It's nice to be selfish for a change and do what I want, when I want, not have to tell anyone else what I'm doing or what I'm not doing.
"So yeah, single life's fun. This time of year is always a bit strange because you just want to sit indoors and have a cuddle, but I've got a pheasant running about the garden, so I'm fine.”
He adds: “I wouldn't say I'm looking for a boyfriend but if I met someone I liked, I wouldn't be saying no.
I wouldn't say I'm looking for a boyfriend but if I met someone I liked, I wouldn't be saying no
Why would I? I think we all want someone, don't we?”
Despite his optimism, Rylan can’t help but dish out some savage advice that he'd give his younger self.
"Get a prenup!” he jokes, before adding: “No, I'd say just enjoy it.
“I spent so many years worrying about what's next and actually didn't enjoy the now.
“If you're doing something you love, enjoy every second of it and stop f****g worrying about tomorrow. Definitely don't worry about yesterday.”
Big Brother comeback
Rylan hosted Strictly: It Takes Two this year, which he claims was much better than his previous stint as they were "actually allowed to be within a metre of each other" now Covid rules have relaxed.
“It's just been really fun, it just felt like Strictly again, which was really lovely," he says.
Having presented Big Brother’s Bit On The Side after winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 – and being a huge fan of the show – Rylan has campaigned for years to bring it back.
But he insists he hasn’t been contacted by ITV to present the new series, which is returning next year, and says it's out of his control.
He says: “I'm not going to sit here and f*****g worry about [it], so I wish everyone luck with big Brother.
“It's an amazing job to be a part of. If I go back, I go back. But if I don't, I don't.”
Referring to rumours of AJ Odudu taking on the role, he says: “I'd be fully supportive of AJ. I love her.
“Anyone who takes that job, I would sit there and say to them, good luck, but you just gotta love it. And if you don't love it, it will show, so make sure you love it.”
Sex-rated
One show that Rylan does have coming out next year is Sex Rated on Channel 4 – which is as the title suggests, all about sex.
“I've just filmed it and, Jesus Christ, my eyes are open,” he says.
“All I can tell you is that there's a lot of stuff out there that I didn't know and I'm gonna go and have a go at.
“The goody bag that I've come home with has definitely been a treat – nothing surprises me anymore!”
Rylan is working with furniture brand DFS to inspire people to embrace their personality and channel their unique style to create a home that’s perfect for them.
When it comes to his own style, he says: “I think it’s a mixture of being an absolute child and trying to be a grown-up.
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“So I'll have a melted ice lolly on the side, like a sculpture, which actually is proper kiddish, but it's very arty.
“I'm not ‘live, laugh, love'. Put it that way.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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