Rylan Clark‑Neal Biography: Tv Shows, Brother, Age, Controversy, Net Worth, Marriage, Height, Awards

Rylan Clark‑Neal is an English broadcaster and television presenter who first came into the spotlight as a contestant on the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012, finishing in fifth place. He went on to win the eleventh series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, which acted as a springboard into a successful career in television presenting and radio-hosting.

Profile

• Full name: Ross Richard Clark
• Other names: Rylan (formerly Rylan Clark, also Rylan Clark-Neal)
• Date of birth: 25 October 1988
• Age: 37 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Stepney, London, England
• Nationality: British
• Profession: Broadcaster, television presenter, radio presenter, former reality-show contestant
• Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
• Parents: Linda Clark (mother)
• Siblings: Jamie Clark (brother)
• Spouse: Dan Neal (married November 2015, separated 2021)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Separated
• Ethnicity: White British
• Net worth: US$6 million

Early Life and Education

Rylan Clark-Neal is now 36 years old and was born on 25 October 1988 in Stepney, East London. He grew up living with his mother, Linda, his grandmother, and his older brother Jamie in a council house in the Stepney Green area. The family later moved to Essex, and he attended the Coopers’ Company and Coborn School in Upminster.

As a child and teenager, Clark was bullied, and later described how his desire to be noticed became a form of defiance against the treatment he received. His background and childhood environment — growing up in the East End of London, moving to Essex, and facing bullying — influenced his drive to enter the entertainment industry and develop a strong on-screen personality.

Personal Life

Rylan met Dan Neal in 2013 when Dan was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, and Rylan was presenting the spin-off show. They became engaged and married in November 2015. After six years of marriage, they announced their separation in 2021.

The split deeply affected Rylan, who has spoken publicly about the breakdown of their relationship, admitting he made mistakes that led to the divorce, and that he struggled with his mental health during and following the separation.

In 2025, Rylan introduced his new boyfriend, Kennedy, a funfair director at Billy Bates & Sons in Leicester. The couple has been seen spending time together and have discussed the prospect of having children in the future.

Career

Clark-Neal’s career began in 2012 when he auditioned for The X Factor and reached the final five in his category. Although he did not win, his flamboyant style, tall stature, and memorable appearance made an impact. The next year, in 2013, he won Celebrity Big Brother, further raising his profile. Following that, he transitioned into television presenting.

He co-hosted the Channel 5 show Big Brother’s Bit on the Side from 2013 until 2018. He also became a regular presence on ITV’s morning programme This Morning from 2014 onwards, acting as a relief presenter and contributor. Clark-Neal hosted his own chat show Up Late with Rylan in 2016.

Beyond this, he has fronted other shows including the reboot of Supermarket Sweep in 2019–2020 and co-presented Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two from 2019-2022. More recently, he has hosted a Saturday show on BBC Radio 2 and launched a podcast series titled “How to Be a Man.”

Net worth

Rylan Clark-Neal’s net worth is estimated around US$6 million. He accumulated this wealth through his television career (presenting, hosting), radio work, book royalties (his autobiography), and public appearances.

Controversy

Clark-Neal has spoken openly about a major personal crisis following his split from Dan Neal in 2021. He admitted that he had been unfaithful and that the breakdown had a severe impact on his mental and physical health, including a suicide attempt and hospitalisation. He has also commented on how his early television persona involved playing “the gay stereotype” to fit the entertainment format of his early appearances.

Social Media

• Instagram: @rylan
• X: @rylan

Filmography

• The X Factor (2012) – Contestant
• Celebrity Big Brother (2013) – Winner
• Big Brother’s Bit on the Side (2013-2018) – Presenter
• Up Late with Rylan (2016) – Presenter
• Supermarket Sweep (2019-2020) – Presenter
• Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (2019-2022) – Co-Presenter
• BBC Radio 2 – Saturday show (date ongoing)

Books

• The Life of Rylan (2016)