BREAKING: Rylan Clark makes HEARTBREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT on This Morning, just as former presenter Ruth Langford teases her return

Rylan Clark confirmed on Friday that it was his ‘last day’ on This Morning amid backlash to his comments about immigration earlier in the week.

The host, 36, and Josie Gibson have recently been standing in as hosts on This Morning to cover for Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd as they take their summer holidays.

He said on Friday’s episode: ‘Last day today!’, which prompted Jodie to declare: ‘What a week!’

Rylan, who rose to fame on the X-Factor, caused a storm earlier this week during a discussion about Reform leader Nigel Farage‘s plans for mass deportations.

He said: ‘How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in.

‘But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?’

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Rylan Clark said on Friday that it was his ‘last day’ on This Morning as the backlash to his comments about immigration continues

Rylan, who acknowledged that what was he was saying was divisive, continued:  ‘This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration. They’re in our tax system, they’re helping our country thrive.

‘I find it absolutely insane that all these people are, one, risking their lives to come across the Channel. And, two, when they get here, it does seem like: “Welcome. Come on in. Here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s the iPads.”

‘And then there’s people who have lived here all their lives. They are struggling. I believe that something major needs to be done about this.’

However, the comments did not go down well with many viewers, who accused the host of spreading misinformation about the asylum process in the UK.

Rylan subsequently took to social media to defend himself, writing: ‘You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes.

‘You can support trans rights and have the utmost respect for women.

‘You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. The list continues.’

Following the announcement of Rylan’s departure, fans took to social media to express their sadness that he will no longer be a regular fixture of the program.

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The announcement of Rylan’s departure comes after former host Ruth Langsford teased a potential return to breakfast telly

They wrote: ‘Please can we keep Rylan/ Josie on here?’;

‘I won’t be watching come next week.’;

‘I haven’t really watched much of This Morning for years mostly due to being at work and if I was home I would have turned it over.

However I’ve been pleasantly surprised this week. Loving Rylan and Josie, well done both. Lovely pairing, both genuine, caring, and funny.’

The announcement of Rylan’s departure comes after former host Ruth Langsford teased a potential return to breakfast telly.

In a new interview with The Mirror, she said that she would be willing to return to the sofa for the first time since 2022 if she is joined by her ‘TV son’ Rylan.

‘If they’d have me, they only have to ask, especially with Rylan!’ she said.

‘I love Rylan. He’s like my son, really. We adore each other, and we’ve worked together before, so who knows?’

She then teased an upcoming project, adding: ‘We might work together, it might not be This Morning – we might do something outside of that.’