Rylan Clark has revealed he once woke up in the back of an ambulance with a fractured skull after being attacked by homophobic thugs.
The 35-year-old TV presenter recalled the incident in his new documentary Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me.
The former X Factor star revealed that as a teenager he was often subjected to anti-gay slurs when he tried to play football with other boys.
According to The Sun, he said: “When I was growing up, I just remember that even if I played football with all the boys, they would be like 'gay boy.'” It's like, “What am I supposed to do then?”
Growing up, Rylan was a fan of the Spice Girls and dancing, which he says made him a target for bullies.
Rylan Clark has revealed he once woke up in the back of an ambulance with a fractured skull after being attacked by homophobic thugs (pictured in his new documentary Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me).
The 35-year-old TV presenter recalled the incident in his new documentary Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me
He recalled an incident when he went to his local park after school with a group of friends and was attacked on the swing set.
He said: “I just remember this hand coming to the back of my head, throwing me off the platform onto the ground and just getting kicked in the head.”
“And the next deep memory I have is sitting in the back of an ambulance and waking up right here as I was driving past my house on the way to the hospital.”
Rylan, whose real name is Ross Clark, was told his skull was fractured in several places after his head was kicked and stomped on.
In conversation with consultant psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Clark told Rylan “in a sick way” that he was almost glad the attack happened because it taught him not to treat anyone badly.
The host said he viewed his role as Rylan as a character, comparing it to a “suit of armor.”
Speaking about the documentary, Rylan said: “Having grown up watching football and being a West Ham fan, I always assumed that as I got older I would be able to go to the games whenever I wanted.”
He continued: “But over time and as a gay man, I sometimes felt uncomfortable around spectators at games.”
The former X Factor star said he was often subjected to anti-gay insults when he tried to play football with other boys (pictured in the documentary).
Rylan also spoke to Rio Ferdinand in the documentary about his past use of anti-gay slurs
“I'm not one to be easily offended, but some of the expressions and insults that football fans use on a daily basis made it almost impossible to go to games, especially as I became more and more popular and they were directed at me.”
“This documentary aims to highlight that football is for everyone, regardless of what you do in your personal life.”
“I talk to fans and players, past and present, about how the beautiful game could become even more beautiful for everyone and how we as fans can change so that players feel comfortable sharing their sexuality if they wish. “
Manchester United star Rio said: “Discrimination in any form has no place in society and it was distressing to hear what Rylan had to endure as a gay man who just wanted to support his local football team.”
“As a young man, I carelessly used words and phrases that I realized were completely wrong, and that is something I see Rylan talk about in the documentary.”
He concluded: “Contributing to the documentary and speaking to Rylan at length was an education in itself to gain insight into his world.”
“Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me” premieres February 13 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT Sports 1 and is available to stream on Discovery+.
He recalled an incident when he went to his local park after school with a group of friends and was attacked on the swing set