Quickly into our chat though it becomes clear I’m speaking to Ross Richard Clark, the man who plays the ‘character’ Rylan so successfully he’s barely been off screens since becoming a ‘novelty act’ on The X Factor 12 years ago when critics wrongly assumed he’s fade into oblivion.
After finishing fifth on The X Factor in 2012 (as predicted by his psychic) and before he sealed his long career in showbiz with a triumphant three weeks on Celebrity Big Brother, Rylan was lined up to perform in nightclubs up and down the country like every other X Factor finalist before him.
‘I don’t really care what Jeff from Dewsbury has got to say on Twitter about my sexuality, because if Jeff’s taking the time out of his day to talk about what I get up to behind closed doors that’s got f**k all to do with Jeff then I’m not the one with the issue.’.
Rylan says nothing’s changed since he sobbed uncontrollably in the arms of Nicole Scherzinger, and became immortalised as a true star other than 13 years later, ‘I don’t give a f**k and I’m rich.’.
It’s what makes him the perfect pairing for the Metro Pride Awards, which will celebrate LGBTQ+ activists, entertainers, and the community’s unwavering resilience against the threat of homophobia and transphobia determined – but failing – to break us.
