S17, Ep1 Rylan Clark on fame, heartbreak and the long journey to self-acceptance

How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

We're back with a brand new season (17 but who's counting? I AM!) and to open the series, I truly could not have asked for a better guest.
Rylan Clark is a familiar presence on TV and radio and one of the BBC's hosts for Eurovision 2023. But he started out as the X Factor 'joke' performer in 2012. So how did he manage the transition from national laughing stock to national treasure?
We talk about the failures that made him: not fitting in at school, the end of his marriage, his struggles with body image and how he survived 'hitting rock bottom'. We also have a fascinating conversation about the nature of fame, and how he feels his 'real' self is separate from his public persona.
I adored this chat because Rylan is super-smart and willing to go deep. But he's also hilarious and had me crying with laughter.
I hope you enjoy the episode. And if you do, I'd love it if you could give How To Fail a nice little five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts!
It's good to be back.
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How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email [e-mail]
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Social Media:
Elizabeth Day @elizabday
How To Fail @howtofailpod
Rylan @rylan

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