Rylan Clark flooded with support from fans as he says he's a 'new man' after Rob Rinder rumours

Rylan Clark has been flooded with praise and support following his latest return to the small screen as he was heard saying he's a 'new man' while addressing rumours of a romance with his pal Rob Rinder.

Fans may know that Rylan and Rob have become firm pals over the years and were hooked last year when they were seen jet-setting around Italy together, with Rob even sparking engagement rumours with Rylan following a cheeky social media post.

But now fans are getting to see what it was all about as well as the dynamics of their friendship in their new, and first, TV show together. Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour began on BBC 2 on Sunday evening (May 12).

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The three-part series sees the pair team up for an epic tour across Italy in which they follow in the footsteps of romance poet Lord Byron, on the 200th anniversary of his death, and other aristocrats who embarked on the Grand Tour and see the duo enjoy all the art and culture that Italy is so famed for.

Promoting the show during an appearance on The One Show together this week, Rylan said: "This trip couldn't have come at a better time. It was like a brand new restart. I came home from this one, exhausted, from 'Nonna' over here that I had to keep dragging through Italy because she's so slow but I came back genuinely like a new man."

The 35-year-old added: "I was like, 'Oh, there is still a life out there!' I know that sounds really cheesy and 'Oh, we're trying to flog a show...' Genuinely not. It speaks for itself and you see it. There's this narrative, this arc, that goes through all three episodes that we never knew when we were there, it was only when we came back and we went, 'Oh, that actually happened!"

Rob then added: "Yeah, the beautiful platonic friendship... A lot of people will be there at night in the middle of an emergency, the emergency services will do that for you and often people wan to inculcate themselves in your terrible drama and have speaking part."

"It's when you find someone who loves you truly in life who you can telephone when something great happens and they'll cheer with you in success..." to which Rylan interjected: "That's what we've got!"

The clip from the interview was reshared by Rylan to his millions of Instagram followers and many were quick to show their support for the show and the pair of TV stars.

@belouminous81 said: "It was genuinely lovely. Their friendship is beautiful and the way it showed their insecurities, vulnerabilities and support for each other was amazing." @fabnad2 commented: "It was a fab watch. Informative, entertaining, and deeply moving. A lovely pair of men."

@michaelajallen wrote: "There’s nothing as beautiful as real friendship. So happy you have found that in each other. I’m lucky to have found that too." @rina6015 replied: "It was one of the best shows. What wonderful team you both are." @scottydogx2 added: "Not a partnership I saw coming but I absolutely love it and your friendship. Can’t wait to see more."

But it comes after Rylan and Rob's apparent love for one another sparked romance rumours and a move has left TV and radio presenter Rylan speaking out once and for all.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the 35-year-old said: "To the journalist that just doorstepped my mum at her house, as polite as you were, please don’t. She said you was a lovely man but she’s 71 years old and it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. The answer is no. I’m not dating Rob Rinder he’s one of my closest friends. Next time tweet me. Thanks."