Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid defended Rylan Clark on Tuesday after he opened up on immigration last week

During Tuesday’s (September 2) edition of the hit ITV programme, Susanna and her co-host Ed Balls updated viewers on the latest news from across the UK and around the world.

They were joined in the studio by Alex Beresford, who presented regular weather updates, while Ranvir Singh shared the rest of the day’s news.

Later in the show, regular correspondents Mirror columnist Kevin Maguire and Andrew Pierce were on hand to debate topical issues, with talk soon turning to immigration

Kevin then hit out at Rylan after he opened up about the topic on This Morning last week.

Susanna Reid defended Rylan Clark on Tuesday(Image: ITV)

Rylan encountered intense backlash over his comments regarding immigration, leading him to issue a public statement.

“All these terrible myths that Rylan Clark regurgitated, spouted most of them,” Kevin said on today’s GMB.

Susanna quickly interjected, saying, “Hang on. He pointed out that this country is built on immigration, and he was grateful to all of the migrants who have come to the NHS for helping support his mum.

“He was actually concerned, though, that we’ve got a sort of welcome to the UK, and we don’t know who all of these people are.

“I have to say, Kevin, it is the duty of government, as the government itself would acknowledge, that we control borders and we do not just welcome everybody if we don’t know who they are. And I think Rylan’s message struck a chord with a lot of people… He did not want it to be an anti-migration message.”

Kevin Maguire slammed Rylan Clark on GMB(Image: ITV)

Kevin added, “He also regurgitated a load of myths and lies. Let’s not ignore that… Myths and lies have gone mainstream, and we’ve got to challenge that, we’ve got to push back on that.”

Susanna concluded, “Rylan also pointed out that we also have a homelessness problem, the government itself acknowledges that there’s not enough housing. So, I just think that to say that what Rylan said was outrageous, regurgitating propaganda [was wrong].”

Last week the Mirror fact-checked Rylan’s rant below.

What Rylan said

The host claimed that small boat arrivals are given free phones and iPads. He said the narrative is “here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, here’s the iPad, here’s the NHS in reception of your hotel”

What the reality is

The Home Office does not provide mobile phones and iPads to new arrivals because these are not considered a basic need. But sometimes charities and churches may do so, along with basic items like clothes and food – which are not funded by taxpayers. Asylum seekers are entitled to free NHS care while their claims are being processed

What Rylan said

He said that if a British citizen turns up at Heathrow without their passport, they “won’t be let in”. But small boat arrivals “get taken to a four-star hotel”.

What the reality is

Some four-star hotels – such as the Britannia International in Canary Wharf – have been used for asylum seekers. But the Home Office says despite previous ratings, these hotels provide only basic needs once their use changes. It has previously stated: “If a hotel is used to house asylum seekers, the services and facilities it previously offered will therefore change, and its commercial star rating will cease to apply. As such, those ratings are not routinely recorded by the Home Office.”

What Rylan said

He also claimed that there is a narrative that people are told “here’s three meals a day, here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome.”

What the reality is

The Home Office has a legal duty to provide basic support to destitute asylum seekers while their claims are processed. They are legally banned from working, and so cannot earn money. They receive a very small allowance. If their meals are provided they receive £9.95 a week per person, and if they are in self-catered accommodation their allowance is £49.18.

Rylan Clark has found himself at the centre of controversy after comments he made about asylum seekers sparked backlash from sections of the public. The popular TV presenter, known for his wit and flamboyant personality, was criticised by some viewers who accused him of being insensitive during a recent discussion. However, Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid stepped in to defend the ITV star, insisting that his remarks were being unfairly taken out of context.

The row began after Clark offered his opinion on the ongoing immigration debate, suggesting that politicians should focus on creating “realistic solutions” rather than “using asylum seekers as political footballs.” While some praised him for voicing a view that echoed widespread frustrations, others felt his choice of wording was poorly judged. Critics argued that his comments downplayed the seriousness of the crisis and risked appearing dismissive of the difficulties faced by communities and vulnerable individuals alike.

Social media quickly amplified the dispute. Hashtags mentioning Clark began trending on X, with heated debates erupting between those who felt he had spoken with refreshing honesty and those who believed he had crossed a line. One post read: “Rylan Clark should stick to entertainment. His comments on asylum seekers were tone-deaf and offensive.” Another defended him, saying: “People are twisting Rylan’s words. He was calling out politicians for their failures, not attacking asylum seekers.”

Susanna Reid addressed the backlash during Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, standing firmly in Clark’s corner. She argued that the TV personality’s words had been misinterpreted and that the wider point he was making—that politicians often use vulnerable groups for point-scoring—was an important one. “I think Rylan was making a fair observation about how asylum seekers are treated in the political debate,” Reid said. “He wasn’t demeaning them—he was challenging how they’re portrayed and exploited.”

Reid’s defence resonated with many viewers, who felt the criticism of Clark was disproportionate. Fans praised her for providing balance in a media climate often quick to condemn. One viewer tweeted: “Susanna Reid was right to defend Rylan. His comments weren’t cruel—they were a critique of the government.” Another wrote: “This is getting blown out of proportion. Rylan has every right to express his views.”

The debate highlights the increasingly blurred line between celebrity commentary and political discourse. Figures like Clark, who straddle the worlds of entertainment and media, often find their words scrutinised more heavily when they touch on divisive issues. Supporters argue that celebrities with large platforms should be free to use their voices for social good, while critics maintain that they risk oversimplifying complex issues when they step outside their areas of expertise.

For Clark, the controversy is unlikely to cause lasting damage to his career. He remains one of ITV’s most bankable stars, with an affable personality and broad public appeal. Yet the incident underscores how easily public figures can find themselves at the centre of political storms in today’s social media-driven environment.