Rylan Clark has shut down rumours of a romance with Rob Rinder while issuing a warning about protecting the privacy of his mum, Linda. Since the duo’s new BBC Two travel show aired, Rob hinted at their close friendship and “love” for one another on Sunday.
Rob, known as TV judge Judge Rinder, shared a cryptic message in reply to Rylan promoting the show. Rylan wrote: “Tonight our new show starts at 9pm on BBC Two and iPlayer. It was so special. This man has become family to me because of this experience. It really is a show like no other and we’re so proud of it. Hope you enjoy x.”
The TV judge and Good Morning Britain presenter replied: “‘Friendship may and often does, grow into love.’ Byron.”
However, Rylan shut down any suggestion of a romance on Monday as he revealed a journalist had attempted to ask his mum Linda about the rumours, reports the Mirror.
He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “To the journalist that just doorstepped my mum at her house, as polite as you were, please don’t. She said you was a lovely man but she’s 71 years old and it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable.
“The answer is no. I’m not dating Rob Rinder he’s one of my closest friends. Next time tweet me. Thanks.”
Rylan and Rob grew close while filming their “heartbreak holiday” for BBC Two in Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour, where they embark on an upper-class gap year.
The pair follow the tradition of 18th and 19th-century aristocrats who left Britain to explore the cultural capitals of Europe. Both Rylan and Rob have endured the pain of divorce.
In the premiere episode, Rylan moved Rob to tears as he divulged the impact of his marriage breakdown. While sipping drinks in Venice, Rylan confessed: “I think it was a culmination of my marriage breaking down and actually me stopping for the first time in 10 years.
“Then, all of a sudden, I hit quite a big speed bump instead of carrying on, I just sunk. It was the worst experience of my life. I just went on a downward spiral. I tried to end it, I tried to finish myself off.”
“I didn’t eat, I went down to 9st. I’m 6ft 4 Rob, like I look[ed] horrendous.”
An emotional Rob then shared his own heartache over his past divorce, saying: “I was once so in love when I was in my early 20s, but it wasn’t reciprocated. And it never has been.”
“Do you know what, Rob? We’re here once, we’ve been through quite a lot of stuff,” Rylan responded. “What’s it taught us? Nothing’s forever unless it’s right.”
Rylan’s six-year marriage to ex-Big Brother contestant Dan Neal, 44, ended in 2021.
