RYLAN:
‘Katie has guided me throughout my career’
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TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal tells Closer about his close friend Jordan and his other celeb pals, and explains why this year is going to be his busiest yet
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hey’ve been friends since meeting on her Signed by Katie Price TV talent show back in 2011, and Rylan Clark-Neal and Jordan – real name Katie Price – are now closer than ever, with him admitting he feels indebted to her, as she’s given him so much showbiz advice over the years. Speaking exclusively to Closer, Rylan – who has gone on to become one of the UK’s most loved and sought-after presenters, recently hosting the revived Supermarket Sweep and Strictly’s It Takes Two – says, “Katie was there at the beginning of my career. She helped me out immensely and guided me in the early days. She’s a personal friend, and I’ll always look out for her.”
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GOSSIP
While Rylan’s career has gone from strength to strength, former glamour model Jordan, 41, has had a troubled two years, including speculation of drug abuse, checking into rehab after being diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, going bankrupt before Christmas, and appearing in court multiple times on driving charges. But Rylan, 31, insists his friend is “good”, adding, “I spoke to her recently. There’s a lot of gossip surrounding her, but my relationship with Katie is a very normal one – we don’t talk about what’s in the papers. She’s a one-woman machine. She knows exactly what she’s doing.” Rylan now has countless celebrity friends, including X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and 26
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Nicole Scherzinger, who was his mentor on the show when he finished in fifth place in 2012, as well as his fellow contestants, James Arthur and Jahméne Douglas. FAMILY
He says, “I saw Nicole last year when she came to support me at a karaoke event for Children In Need, and that was lovely of her. I saw Simon a few months ago – we had a lovely catch up, and he said how well I’m doing. Simon knows everything about everyone. I’m always in contact with Louis because we love a gossip! “I spoke to both James and Jahméne in December. We were very lucky in 2012, because we’ve now got a very tightknit family. James did so well from the show, and he’s only going from strength
On Jordan’s reality show in 2011 With husband Dan and step-son Cameron
to strength. I couldn’t be prouder.” Rylan wed husband and former Big Brother contestant Dan Neal in 2015 and, having just celebrated their four-year anniversary in November, the couple couldn’t be happier. “Married life is amazing!” he jokes. “We row all the time, and we don’t have sex – so it’s full-on married life!” Dan’s 19-year-old son, Cameron, now lives with the couple, but Rylan isn’t ruling out having kids of their own. OPPORTUNITY
He says, “I’d consider all avenues. Of course I would, if it was something I wanted. It’s something that may come up. “I live my personal life like I live my career – I never plan. I’m one of those people who takes each day as it comes, so if the opportunity arises, fantastic, and if doesn’t, fantastic. I’ve got Cameron, and I’m very content with him.” Rylan, who has also hosted This Morning, The Xtra Factor and Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, has a busy year ahead. More TV projects are in the pipeline, including the hugely anticipated new version of Ready, Steady, Cook. He says, “I just know how lucky I am to be doing the job I’m doing. It’s going to be a busy 2020 – but I wouldn’t want it any other way.” By Julie Ann Trainor
