WWW.OK.CO.UK 39ASHEJOINSTHE‘STRICTLY’FAMILY
‘I’MTURNING
INTOZOEBALL’
TVFAVOURITE RYLANCLARK-NEAL
TELLSOK!’SKIRSTYHATCHERABOUT
FULFILLINGHISBOYHOODDREAMSGETTY IMAGES, CHANNEL 4, PA PHOTOST
here may be a record-
breaking heatwave on
the night OK! catches
up with Rylan Clark-Neal
in east London, but chatting to
the presenter you’d never know!
Make-up fully intact and not a
bead of sweat on his brow, the
30 year old is as cool as a
cucumber as he fills us in on his
busy year ahead. Not only is he
joining Zoë Ball to present Strictly
Come Dancing: It Takes Two, he
will also front the revival of popular
game show Supermarket Sweep
and new BBC makeover show Yo u
Are What You Wear. And that’s
without even mentioning his much
loved BBC Radio 2 show, and
fans recently going wild for his
and mum Linda’s appearance on
Celebrity Gogglebox!
‘No one asks me about me
any more, they ask about Linda!’
laughs Rylan, who is married to
former police officer and Big
Brother contestant Dan Neal.
Here, Rylan tells OK! whether
there are plans for him and Linda
to have their own show, and his
thoughts on Strictly’s new judge...Everyone loved you and your
mum on Celebrity Gogglebox!
Have there been talks about you
two doing your own show?
I’ve been very flattered by the
amount of people that have been
in touch with us talking about
ideas. But my mum is obviously
not too well [Linda has Crohn’s
disease] and that’s the whole
reason why we never
do anything. But doing
Gogglebox where we were
sat in my home, my mum
felt very comfortable.
Who knows, if it comes
back maybe we would be
part of it!You tweeted thanking
people for being so kind
to your mum...
I was expecting there to be
so many a***holes, like there
normally is. But it’s actually
restored my faith in people.Are you excited about
joining It Takes Two?Really excited! I’m really good
mates with Zoë, I’ve taken over her
old slot on BBC Radio 2 and now
I’m doing It Takes Two with her.
I’m turning into Zoë Ball – isn’t that
every boy’s dream? Joining Strictly
is a massive honour.What do you think about
Motsi Mabuse joining the
judging panel?
She’s so lovely, I had a little
chat with her. Her credentials
are through the roof. I did message
her and say: ‘For the first few
weeks shall we sit in the corner
like the new kids and talk about
people?’ And I think she’s
up for it! I understand people
being concerned that she’s Oti’s
sister but she’s very good at her
job. Lest we forget she judges
the German version! It’s a bit like
business and friendship. Don’t
have friends when it comes down
to business, because they don’t
mix. That’s what I think Motsi’s
going to do fantastically. She’ll
think, that might be my sister
but I’m going to judge her exactly
the same!Is there anyone you’d love to
do Strictly?
There are a million people, but I
know some of the rumours so I’m
just going to keep very tight-lipped
because I will start telling you!Tell us about presenting
Supermarket Sweep...
I’m presenting an absolute dream
show of mine. As a child I used to
bunk off school to watch it! We
start filming very soon and you’ve
not got long to wait until it comes
on TV. I want there to be a nod to
Dale [Winton]. No one will ever
fill Dale’s shoes, but if I can fill an
inch then I’ll be happy.Do you think Big Brother will
ever make a return?
I’m adamant it will! Next year is
the show’s 20th birthday – let’s
hope it’s had a nice year break and
comes back bigger than ever.RYLAN CLARK ATTENDED THE VIP LAUNCH OF JUST
EAT FOOD FEST: TASTE ADVENTURE, SERVING UP
JUST EAT’S FAVOURITE TAKEAWAY DISHES – WITH
AN IMMERSIVE TWIST.OK!diseasA
jRylan is busier
than ever with
three TV projects
and his radio show
Above: With Dan Neal.
Left: With mum Linda
on Celebrity Gogglebox