If you’ve watched Rylan Clark bounce between This Morning and BBC Radio 2, you might wonder what’s going on behind the camera. The broadcaster’s journey from reality show contestant to trusted voice on British TV includes a very public divorce and a health scare that left him unable to speak.

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Full name: Ross Richard Clark ·
Born: 25 October 1988, Stepney, London ·
Known for: TV and radio presenting, Strictly Come Dancing contestant ·
Marriage: Dan Neal (married 2021–2023) ·
Notable health event: Stroke-like symptoms after divorce ·
Instagram followers: Over 1.6 million

Quick snapshot

1Current status
2Health update
3Career highlights
4Key relationships
  • Married to Dan Neal (2021–2023) Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)
  • Close bond with mother Linda Clark (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))
  • Friendship with Rob Rinder (Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet))

Six key facts about Rylan Clark, drawn from his official biography and public records:

Attribute Details
Full name Ross Richard Clark Wikipedia (public encyclopedia)
Date of birth 25 October 1988 Wikipedia (public encyclopedia)
Place of birth Stepney, London, England Wikipedia (public encyclopedia)
Occupation Broadcaster, television personality, radio host Wikipedia (public encyclopedia)
Years active 2012–present Wikipedia (public encyclopedia)
Marital status Divorced (2023)

The pattern: Wikipedia provides the baseline facts, but his marital status and health events require more recent reporting.

Who is Rylan Clark’s partner now?

Rylan Clark is currently single. His marriage to Dan Neal ended in 2023, and he has not publicly confirmed a new relationship. However, in early 2025, reports emerged that he may be dating a man named Kennedy, a Leicestershire-based funfair director. According to Attitude (LGBTQ+ lifestyle magazine), Clark said this person is the first he has felt ready to let in since the split. He also revealed the partner had already met his family and that they both want children.

Rylan Clark’s marriage history

  • Rylan married Dan Neal in 2021 after dating for several years. Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)
  • The couple separated in 2023, citing irreconcilable differences.

Public relationship timeline

  • 2021: Marriage to Dan Neal.
  • 2023: Divorce announced. Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)
  • 2025: Unconfirmed reports of new partner named Kennedy. Attitude (LGBTQ+ lifestyle magazine)

The pattern: Clark has been cautious about dating since the divorce. He told Digital Spy he had only two dates in two years, explaining that his fame makes it difficult.

Why this matters

Clark’s openness about his dating life — or lack of it — offers a rare look at how public figures navigate intimacy after a high‑profile split. For fans, the takeaway is that he’s prioritising trust over speed.

Why did Rylan’s marriage fail?

The divorce was filed on grounds of irreconcilable differences, but Clark has since spoken about the deeper causes. In an interview with The Independent (British news publication), he described how the pressures of public life and work contributed to the breakdown.

Reported reasons for divorce

  • Irreconcilable differences — the official reason cited in legal documents.
  • Clark said the strain from constant public attention and work demands took a toll on the marriage.

Rylan’s own statements

“The breakdown of my marriage triggered a self‑destructive mindset.”

The Independent (British news publication)

He also urged others facing similar struggles to seek help and prioritise self‑care.

The implication: The end of the marriage was not just a legal split but a catalyst for a broader personal crisis that affected his health and career.

What illness did Rylan Clark have?

In mid‑2023, Clark experienced a frightening episode that he described as stroke‑like. He temporarily lost his vision and the ability to speak. The Independent reported that he likened the symptoms to a severe stroke.

Stroke-like symptoms in 2023

  • Loss of vision and speech for a short period.
  • Hospitalisation and tests. YouTube summary (fan content)
  • Doctors diagnosed a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — often called a mini‑stroke.

Hospitalisation and recovery

  • Clark spent time in hospital after the split. YouTube summary (fan content)
  • He took a four‑month hiatus from work, unusual for him. The Independent
  • By 2024, he had returned to BBC Radio 2 and This Morning, describing himself as fully recovered.
The catch

Clark’s health crisis was directly tied to emotional stress, not a chronic condition. The episode underscores how mental health can manifest physically, even in someone who appears confident on screen.

The consequence: Clark now speaks openly about mental health, using his platform to normalise seeking help.

Rylan Clark’s career and family background

Early life and Strictly Come Dancing

  • Born Ross Richard Clark on 25 October 1988 in Stepney, London. Wikipedia
  • Rose to fame singing on The X Factor in 2012. Wikipedia
  • In 2013, competed on Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the semi‑finals. Wikipedia

Mother Linda Clark

Rylan has a close relationship with his mother, Linda Clark, a former nurse. She has appeared alongside him on television and is often credited as his anchor.

Height and personal details

  • Rylan Clark is approximately 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall. Wikipedia
  • He has no children as of 2025.
  • His Instagram handle is @rylan (over 1.6 million followers).

The arc: From reality show contestant to a respected broadcasting figure, Clark’s career has outgrown the label of “reality star.” His current roles on This Morning and BBC Radio 2 place him among the UK’s most recognisable media personalities.

Timeline

  • – Born in Stepney, London. Wikipedia
  • – Appeared on The X Factor. Wikipedia
  • – Participated in Strictly Come Dancing. Wikipedia
  • – Married Dan Neal. Digital Spy
  • – Divorce from Dan Neal; experienced stroke‑like symptoms. The Independent
  • – Returned to BBC Radio 2 and This Morning.

What we know vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Rylan Clark is divorced from Dan Neal. Digital Spy (entertainment news outlet)
  • He had a transient ischemic attack in 2023. The Independent (British news publication)
  • He has no children as of 2025.

What’s unclear

  • Whether he is dating someone new (no public confirmation beyond unverified reports).
  • Exact date of return to some TV projects.

Rylan Clark in his own words

“I temporarily lost my vision and my ability to speak. It was terrifying.”

Rylan Clark, speaking to The Independent

“I’m back, I’m healthy, and I’m ready to enjoy my work again.”

Rylan Clark, on his return to BBC Radio 2 in 2024

The two quotes capture the arc: from crisis to recovery. Clark’s willingness to detail his lowest moments publicly has deepened his connection with audiences and set him apart from many peers who keep private struggles off the record.

What happens next for Rylan Clark?

With his health restored and his career back on track, Clark is expected to continue his work on This Morning and BBC Radio 2. He has hinted at new TV projects, including a second series of Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour. For fans, the biggest unknown remains his romantic life — whether the reports of a new partner become official or he continues to prioritise his career and mental health.

Rylan Clark has rebuilt his life after a divorce and a health scare that nearly silenced him. The trade‑off for his public honesty is a deeper trust with his audience. For anyone watching his journey, the clear takeaway is that resilience — not tabloid headlines — defines where he goes next.

Additional sources

the-independent.com, facebook.com, industrisidan.se

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Rylan Clark?

He was born on 25 October 1988, making him 36 years old (as of 2025).

Does Rylan Clark have any children?

No, he has no children as of 2025, though he has expressed a desire to have them in the future.

What happened to Rylan Clark’s marriage?

He married Dan Neal in 2021 and divorced in 2023, citing irreconcilable differences. Clark has since spoken about the mental health struggles that followed.

Is Rylan Clark still on This Morning?

Yes, he returned to This Morning in 2024 after his health break.

What is Rylan Clark’s net worth?

While not publicly disclosed, estimated net worth is around £5–10 million based on his TV and radio contracts. (No official confirmation.)

Where can I follow Rylan Clark on Instagram?

His Instagram handle is @rylan.

Did Rylan Clark win Strictly Come Dancing?

No, he reached the semi‑finals in 2013, finishing in fourth place.

What health condition did Rylan Clark suffer from?

He experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — often called a mini‑stroke — in 2023, which caused temporary vision and speech loss.