Rylan Clark, the 36-year-old star who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2012, has shared his emotional journey following his split from husband Dan Neal. In a deeply personal revelation, Rylan admitted he struggled to eat, sleep, speak, or even dress, describing a period where he felt completely lost.
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Struggling With Heartbreak
In an intimate conversation with Matt Willis on the On The Mend podcast in July 2024, Rylan spoke candidly about his heartbreak. He explained, “My marriage ended, and I didn’t know it would. I felt like everything was my fault. I thought, ‘I can fix this,’ because I’m always the fixer. Suddenly, I couldn’t fix something, and it left me confused.”
The star continued, describing the overwhelming physical and emotional toll: “I can’t remember what made me disappear from the person I knew. I couldn’t see, hear, eat, breathe, sleep—I couldn’t do anything.”
The Physical Impact
Rylan revealed that his weight dropped dramatically to nine stone and he struggled to form coherent sentences. “It felt like I’d had a stroke. My mum even thought I was having one,” he said. He recalled feeling trapped in “a dark hole,” questioning his sanity as heartbreak and confusion took over.
He added, “I’m strong, very strong, but I was so broken I physically couldn’t dress or eat. I just couldn’t do anything.”
Taking Time to Heal
Following his split, Rylan took a 12-week hiatus from his BBC Radio 2 Saturday afternoon programme, causing concern among fans. He returned to the station in September 2021, reflecting on the need for self-care during that time. “I tried to end it a few times, unsuccessfully thankfully. I would just sleep, do nothing, live at my mum’s, and avoid everyone,” he admitted.
Looking back, Rylan says he now feels grateful for the experience and the lessons it taught him. “I would never let myself get like that again,” he told Willis.
A New Chapter: Love and Life
Rylan has since found love again, sharing glimpses of his relationship on Instagram with his boyfriend, Kennedy. Their posts from a recent trip to Italy show them enjoying wine, sightseeing, and holding hands, signaling a new chapter filled with happiness and stability.
Career Highlights Amid Personal Struggles
Despite his personal challenges, Rylan continues to thrive professionally. He currently stars alongside Rob Rinder in Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India, exploring India’s culture, history, and spirituality—a follow-up to their award-winning Venice travelogue, Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour.
Rylan also appeared on Romesh Ranganathan’s Weakest Link on October 4, 2025, alongside other stars such as Scott Mills, Zoe Ball, Tony Blackburn, Jo Whiley, and Michael Ball in a BBC Radio 2 special.
Reflecting on Strength and Resilience
Rylan’s story is a testament to resilience. From the depths of despair following his marriage breakdown to rediscovering love and purpose, he demonstrates that even the most public figures face private battles. By opening up about his mental health struggles, Rylan is helping break the stigma and inspire others to seek help when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What did Rylan Clark reveal about his mental health after his marriage split?
Rylan Clark opened up about struggling with suicidal thoughts, losing the ability to eat, sleep, speak, and dress, describing it as one of the darkest periods of his life.
How did the split from Dan Neal affect Rylan physically?
The emotional turmoil caused Rylan’s weight to drop significantly to nine stone, and he struggled to form coherent sentences, feeling physically and mentally drained.
Did Rylan Clark take a break from work after the breakup?
Yes, he took a 12-week hiatus from his BBC Radio 2 Saturday afternoon show to focus on his mental health and recovery.
How did Rylan describe his emotional state during that period?
He said he felt like he had disappeared from himself, trapped in a “dark hole,” questioning his sanity while dealing with heartbreak and confusion.
Has Rylan Clark moved on from the split?
Yes, Rylan has found love again and recently went Instagram official with his boyfriend, Kennedy, sharing joyful moments from a trip to Italy.
What projects is Rylan Clark currently involved in?
He stars alongside Rob Rinder in Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India and appeared on Romesh Ranganathan’s Weakest Link, continuing his thriving TV and radio career.
What message did Rylan share about resilience and recovery?
Rylan reflected that he is grateful for the experience, stating he would never let himself reach that level of despair again, inspiring others to prioritize mental health.
Conclusion
Rylan Clark’s journey from heartbreak to healing is a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of mental health. Facing immense emotional and physical challenges after his marriage split, he courageously shared his struggles, showing that even public figures are not immune to personal battles. Today, Rylan has found love, reclaimed his confidence, and continues to thrive in his career, inspiring others to seek help, embrace self-care, and believe in the possibility of a brighter, happier future.
