Rylan Clark-Neal wants a year off work so he can become a father with ex-BB contestant hubby Dan Neal
FROM an unlikely start as an X Factor novelty act, RYLAN CLARK-NEAL has become one of the biggest presenting forces on British television.
But away from his starring role on ITV Daytime and hit Big Brother spin-off Bit On The Side, Rylan is becoming a family man following his marriage to ex-BB contestant DAN NEAL, pictured, in 2015.
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As well as occasionally looking after Dan’s 17-year-old son Cameron, Ry is considering becoming a father himself. But the bad news is he wants a year off from work when he becomes a parent.
In an exclusive interview at the Big Brother studio, Rylan told me: “I’m already a stepdad but, of course, I’d like to have kids.
“Since day one I’ve always wanted kids. I love babies.
“It is definitely something that we will talk about and discuss if, how, when and why.
“It’s doable. It’s always on the table, it’s just when the time is right.
“If I did have a baby, I’d be the sort to want a year off just to be a dad.
“There’s a lot that I’ve got to look at.”
Rylan’s declaration puts to bed rumours that his 19-month marriage is on the rocks. He said defiantly: “Every other week the phone rings and it’s, ‘We’ve heard that you’ve split up and he’s living with his mum’.
“And we’re sitting there together. Honestly, everything is great between us.”
But despite a stint presenting together on This Morning, Rylan insisted the couple don’t want to become a double act.
He said: “That’s the only thing that Dan and I have done. We hate that side of it.”
Rylan admitted that his life is currently overrun by telly, with his role on This Morning followed by nights down at BB.
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He said: “It takes over my life. I’m doing early morning and late nights, that’s the hardest thing. But I especially love evictions. I’m just lucky to be doing what I do, and nothing will ever pull me away from Big Brother ever.”
Last year Rylan returned to his X Factor roots to host The Xtra Factor with MATT EDMONDSON – and yesterday disclosed that he knew all along that it would be the spin-off’s final series.
He said: “Me and Matt knew it would be the last hurrah. Every single week we referenced it and I don’t think people really caught on.
“But we knew what was happening and that’s why I think I was drafted in. We had a ball.”
Rylan has also started sporting a bushy new beard in what he describes as a “rebrand”.
Referring to his preened former look, he said: “I just can’t be bothered, Dan.
“I just thought f*** it. But I’m bored of the maintenance.
“I can do a job with a bushier beard.
“I’m fed-up of being that Rylan.
“I’m just trying to get back to normal. But my mum hates it.”
Big Brother’s Bit On The Side airs weeknights on Channel 5
Movie saved Martine, Actually
MARTINE McCUTCHEON has pulled pints in EastEnders, topped the singles charts and featured in one of the world’s favourite rom-coms, Love Actually.
But she almost missed out on the role in the box-office smash – after vowing to quit showbiz to become a photographer shortly before RICHARD CURTIS offered her the part of Natalie.
Recalling the dilemma she faced in 2001, Martine said: “I just went to Spain to see two of my friends and just thought, ‘What am I going to do? Am I going to do photography?’
“And that’s when I got a phone call from my agent saying, ‘I know you told me never to ring you ever again and you don’t like this business and you’re too sensitive but Richard Curtis has got in touch and has written you a part in Love Actually.’
“I was just coming up with these crazy ideas of what I’d be half decent at. I was thinking, photography is quite creative, maybe I could do that.”
Thankfully she never made the jump and is now relaunching her pop career with new album Lost and Found, out on August 11, nearly two decades after her incredible debut single Perfect Moment.
Sounds like she made the right decision.
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CAPTAIN America star CHRIS EVANS is returning to CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories for Father’s Day. This time he will read Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site – which mums may well enjoy more than the kids.
Liam has gone maracas
LIAM GALLAGHER appears to have had a personality transplant.
Just days after calling his brother NOEL a “sad f***” for his no-show at ARIANA GRANDE’s One Love Manchester benefit, he reckons there’s nothing but love between them.
When asked whether he thought Noel would approve of his new music, he said: “Completely man, without a doubt, yeh definitely.
“’Cos at the end of the day man he loves music and we all love music.”
Speaking to Virgin Radio, he added: “And I’m sure he wishes me well, cos that’s what it’s about.”
Liam’s desperate U-turn comes after I revealed Radio 1 has refused to play his music.
And in another blow debut solo single Wall of Glass has tumbled 16 places to No37 in the UK charts this week.
An OASIS reunion back on the maracas might be his only lifeline.
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MTV is bringing back its iconic Nineties dance party The Grind for one night only. The show, which ended 20 years ago, will see DJ MARTIN JENSEN at Cafe Del Mar during next weekend’s Isle of MTV Malta festival.
Perrie's hol hel
THINGS are hotting up for PERRIE EDWARDS and boyfriend ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN.
The loved-up pair shared romantic snaps of themselves on holiday in a mystery exotic location on Instagram.
Let’s hope they get back home in one piece.
Lou sun gig is so good
GETTING the party started is no problem for LOUISA JOHNSON.
She brought the energy to a very special Sun Gig – where she sang hits including So Good, Bad Behaviour and her CLEAN BANDIT collaboration Tears.
Taking a break from her tour with OLLY MURS to join our summer party, she was in great spirits despite her recent split from boyfriend Daniel Elliott.
Later, RUDIMENTAL took to the decks for an hour-long performance which certainly kept me dancing.
They filled their set with electronic rhythms – and their ED SHEERAN single Bloodstream.
Here’s hoping they have more music on the way.
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LENNY KRAVITZ’s daughter ZOE has confirmed she had a fling with DRAKE in 2013 after they were spotted kissing at a concert.
She said yesterday: “We hung out for a minute. You know, he’s a cutie.” OK then . . .
RiRi feels grateful
ASIDE from lead single Work, RIHANNA struggled to have a hit from her eighth studio album Anti last year.
Perhaps that’s why she has turned to DJ KHALED, who has bagged some of the biggest musicians around for his new album Grateful including BEYONCE, JAY Z, DRAKE, JUSTIN BIEBER, NICKI MINAJ and CALVIN HARRIS.
RiRi and rapper BRYSON TILLER feature on his latest tune Wild Thoughts.
The video for it was released yesterday and if it makes me dance like she does, it is bound to be huge.
Biz Bit
JEREMY CORBYN has been added to this year’s Glastonbury line- up for next weekend.
He will introduce rap duo RUN THE JEWELS on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday – just after CRAIG DAVID’s performance.
BIZ METER: CHARTS
THE top ten is dominated by JUSTIN BIEBER thanks to his latest collaboration 2U, with DAVID GUETTA. It has gone in at No5, meaning he now has three songs in the top ten.
GETTING STOR-MZY to team up on new track Power has sent LITTLE MIX up the charts. The single, the fourth from their album Glory Days, has rocketed 22 places to No13.
KATY PERRY has failed to even crack the top five with her new album Witness. Her last two albums went to No1 but Witness, released last Friday, has debuted at No6. Ouch.
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GEORGE EZRA bravely addresses his battle with anxiety in comeback single Don’t Matter Now – his first since 2015. Speaking about his struggle, he said: “In time I realised it wasn’t just me that was suffering.”