Rylan Clark overcome with emotion as he opens up about pressure to have ‘perfect’ body-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Rylan Clark has opened up about the pressure he feels to look a certain way (Picture: BBC)

Rylan Clark has bravely opened up about his body hang-ups and insecurities.

The TV icon, 35, has spoken candidly about his mental health in recent months, specifically how he deteriorated and struggled with suicidal thoughts following his divorce from Dan Neal.

While filming for his new travel TV show alongside Judge Rinder, 45, Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour, the former Celebrity Big Brother winner visited Florence in Italy.

It was there that the hilarious duo marvelled at some of the finest Renaissance art and sculptures, such as Michelangelo’s buff David statue.

However, this activity prompted discussions on the masculine image and what it means to be ‘perfect’.

Speaking frankly to cameras, X Factor alum Rylan explained: ‘Being in Florence and seeing art like David makes me sit there and go, “Have I inherited from generations gone by and been passed down to that that’s what I’m supposed to look like?”

He and Rob Rinder visited a life drawing class in Florence (Picture: BBC)

The idea was for them to strip off and be painted, allowing them a further insight into Renaissance art (Picture: BBC)

However, Rylan wasn’t keen (Picture: BBC)

‘That’s what I want, that’s what I’ve always wanted to look like.

‘But I feel like I’m striving for a marble body.’

‘Some people can get that, but that’s a full-time job,’ added the star, before laughing: ‘Babe, I’ve got The One Show at 7!’

Later in the episode, Rylan and Rob visit a life-drawing class to ‘understand how empowering nude portraiture is.’

But, unlike the original Grand Tourists, these two modelled in bondage gear.

They got to know a local artist named Sofia ‘who explores hang-ups with nudity by painting bound bodies.’

‘It’s about the analysis of different things that are tying us up,’ she explained ahead of the session.

‘And like why not show it and make it beautiful?’

Rob was much more confident (Picture: BBC)

The TV star needed a moment to himself (Picture: BBC)

He reflected on how other people’s opinions have hurt him in the past (Picture: BBC)

‘You’re reclaiming all the things that prevent you from being free,’ Rob chimed in, to which the artist agreed.

The barrister-turned-TV personality was eager to take his clothes off and pose for the portrait, stripping down to his underwear and showing off his toned physique.

Rylan, on the other hand, was much more reserved.

‘I’m gonna let you do this,’ Rylan told him. ‘You’re alright with all of that.

‘I don’t think I could do what you’re doing right now.’

When asked by another model why he didn’t feel able to bare all, Rylan stated: ‘I just don’t feel confident enough.’

‘I’ll probably learn more about Renaissance art by doing it, but actually, I think it’s seeing the Renaissance art and seeing David and stuff like that that makes me go, well, “I haven’t got that.”

‘I don’t like my arms, I don’t like my legs, I don’t like my body.’

Meanwhile, gym-goer Rob is extremely body confident (Picture: BBC)

Eventually, Rylan felt able to sit for the painting, wearing a piece of satin and his boxers (Picture: BBC)

The pair were leaning against each other as Sofia worked her magic (Picture: BBC)

Rob then reassured Rylan that he didn’t have to take his clothes off if he didn’t want to.

Rylan excused himself, taking a moment to talk to the cameras by himself as he reflected.

‘I just feel like, in my past, I’ve been made to feel quite s**t by people about everything,’ he confessed.

‘I feel like I’ve let Rob down if I don’t do it. I’ve just gotta not care.’

As footage showed Rob’s chiselled figure, Rob explained that he goes to the gym daily to aid with his mental health and to ‘feel good’ in himself.

After giving himself a pep talk, Rylan eventually felt confident enough strutting out in his underpants, with a piece of blue satin fabric draped over half of his body.

As he did so, Rob and artist Sofia hailed him as ‘a Roman sculpture’.

The painter then worked her magic, with the TV stars leaning against one another while she replicated their likeness on a canvas.

The end result was stunning (Picture: BBC)

‘I literally feel like I’m having a breakdown,’ Rylan declared when asked how he was feeling.

‘I have never felt so exposed in my life.’

Sofia assured him that it was ‘a bonding moment’, after which Rylan clarified some misconceptions fans might have about him.

‘I think people would think that I think I look good, and I think this and I think that when, actually, it’s the complete opposite. I do not look handsome.

‘I just feel like I’ve got to be perfect and I’m not.’

Fortunately, it seems the painting was able to switch his mindset, as he gasped once the finished product was unveiled, describing it as ‘beautiful’.

‘That’s unbelievable, I have no words,’ Rylan said, joking that he looks like Jesus.

‘When I see that painting, I think, well, if that’s how Sofia sees me then I haven’t got that much to worry about.’

‘That’s how everybody sees you,’ Rob said sweetly.

Their travel series has been filled with hilarious ups and tear-jerking downs across three episodes.

Most notably, Rylan left Rob in floods of tears when he recalled wanting to ‘end it all’.

Rob struggled to hold it together as the Eurovision host detailed the impact of his marriage breakdown, and also spoke about his own pain from suffering an unrequited love.

Stream all episodes of Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour now on BBC iPlayer.

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