There'll be paper chains, but no tinsel, for Rylan
(Image: INhouse Images)

Rylan Clark makes 'frightened' confession as he admits 'I can't do it'

by · Manchester Evening News

December starts next week, which means most of us will be thinking about getting the Christmas decorations up. But there’s one festive staple that Radio 2’s Rylan Clark won’t be draping on his tree.

“I can’t do tinsel, it frightens me,” the star admitted on his Saturday show. He says that just looking at the glittery garlands “make him itchy.” Instead, he opts for a string of imitation ivy wrapped around his tree.

Rylan adds that, because he’s going to be working a lot over Christmas, he has started decorating early, so he can have some time to “be at home with the tree.” Rylan has a starring role as “The Spirit of the Beans” in Jack and the Beanstalk from Saturday December 14.

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This Christmas, Rylan will be seen in a special one-to-one with Grammy-winner Mariah Carey
(Image: BBC)

He jokingly announced he’d be “channeling his inner Olivia Coleman” for the panto at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion. “It’s a very fun part,” he said

For Rylan fans who won’t be able to make it all the way to Essex, there’s still a chance to see him – with a very special guest – over the holiday season. Mariah Carey – the acknowledged Queen of Christmas – will be joining the Essex-born star for a one-to-one chat.

Filmed on location in Los Angeles earlier this year as the multi-platinum record selling, Grammy Award-winning artist Mariah Carey met Rylan for the first time, he quizzed her about life, music, and of course, the festive season as her classic hit All I Want For Christmas Is You celebrates its 30th anniversary

Rylan already has his decorations up
(Image: Instagram/Rylan)

Rylan’s home has been decorated for the season, as it was last year, by local florists Early Hours.

His disco theme for 2023 drew admiring comments from his bevy of showbiz mates, including Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney, Strictly’s Oti Mabuse and of course Natalie Casey.

This year’s display, which only made its début yesterday, has already drawn dozens of similar comments, with ITV’s Paul brand asking how it was holding up against the ravages of Storm Bert.