Rylan Clark has spoken candidly about his divorce from husband Dan Neal, saying he has “no regrets” despite the emotional and physical toll the breakup took on him.
Clark, 37, married former Big Brother contestant and ex-police officer Neal in 2015, after two years of dating. The couple announced their separation in 2021 and finalized their divorce later that same year. In his 2022 memoir, Ten: The Decade That Changed My Future, Clark admitted that his own infidelity played a part in the relationship’s breakdown.
During a recent appearance on ITV’s The Assembly, an interview show led by autistic, neurodivergent, and learning-disabled journalists, Clark opened up about the challenges he faced following the end of his marriage.
When asked whether honesty is always the best policy in relationships, Clark replied, “Oh wow. Yeah, I think it is. I’m OK admitting when I’m in the wrong, because actually I don’t deal well with guilt, and I don’t deal well with secrets. It made me so ill, and it sounds a terrible thing to say, but I’m glad it happened.”
Reflecting on the emotional aftermath, he admitted, “I never think about him [Neal]. I miss feeling like I’ve got it all. I thought I had life done. I’ve got the job, I’ve got the family, I’ve got the marriage, I’ve got the car, I’ve got the house. I thought I had it sussed. I didn’t have anything sussed. I didn’t know what was a real relationship.”
Despite the pain, Clark maintains a sense of acceptance. “I can look back now and know that I don’t regret anything,” he said.
The divorce had severe effects on his health. Clark revealed that his body “completely shut down,” culminating in two heart failures. “I wouldn’t eat. I went through a stage where I couldn’t even talk, which for some people might be quite handy. My speech was just slurred. My mum thought I was having a stroke. My body just went. I went down to nine stone and I am six-foot-four,” he recounted.
Speaking further about the emotional devastation, he said, “Not well. When my marriage ended, you know that term when someone says to pull the rug from under you? Yeah, that’s the only way I can describe it. It’s like someone went like that and I just fell over and I couldn’t get back up, like I broke both my arms and legs.”
Clark also revealed that he moved back in with his mother for a time, seeking refuge from the memories in the home he had shared with Neal.
His episode of The Assembly is scheduled to air on ITV1 and ITVX at 10pm on Sunday, 24 May.
On a lighter note, Clark recently learned he would not be part of the new presenting lineup for Strictly Come Dancing in 2026. Former professional dancer Johannes Radebe, comedian Josh Widdicome, and presenter Emma Willis will replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Clark took the news gracefully, sharing a humorous Instagram clip of himself crying, taken from his 2012 X Factor appearance. He wrote, “Just wanted to say as it was reported I was in ‘the race’ for Strictly, the biggest congrats to my Emma and equal congrats to Johannes and Josh. You’re all going to have the best time. Made up for yous. This wasn’t my time sadly but am extremely grateful to even have been considered. I’m taking the news really well (see next slide) but genuinely looking forward to the new series with you three.”
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to the BBC in autumn 2026, starting with the launch show, which traditionally airs in mid-to-late September.
Through it all, Rylan Clark has shown resilience, speaking openly about his past mistakes, heartbreak, and health struggles while remaining positive about the future – a testament to self-reflection, honesty, and perseverance in both personal and professional life.
