Rylan reposts controversial 'deleted' tweet and says 'just winds me up'
Rylan Clark has stood behind his controversial tweet about pedestrians crossing the road and denied deleting it in the first place. The 35-year-old TV host caused a heated debate on social media platform X when he insisted that pedestrians should 'say thank you or pop your hand up' when using a zebra crossing.
The original post stated: "I know it's the law and that pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings... BUT SAY THANK YOU OR POP UR HAND UP. Rude pr**ks... (Stuck in traffic and annoyed)."
The post sparked a debate among his followers, which then escalated after the tweet abruptly disappeared. But now, Rylan has insisted he didn't delete his original post and has doubled down on his reasoning for sharing it.
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Returning to X on Wednesday (October 2), Rylan said: "Dunno how I deleted my tweet from earlier was looking at ur replies. Read like this 'I know it's the law and that pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings... BUT SAY THANK YOU OR POP UR HAND UP. Rude pr**ks... (Stuck in traffic and annoyed). Didn’t realise would spark some massive debate.
"This hasn't got anything to do with the law, who should do what, I've just been brought up to say thanks when a car slows down at a zebra crossing. Also, thanking a bus driver when you get off a bus. Things like that."
He then went on to explain: "When I was on Room101 this is something I put in as my subject. As a pedestrian, I'd always thank a driver stopping so I can cross. Whether it’s my right of way or not. For people tweeting 'would you as a driver thank a pedestrian for walking along the pavement and not in the road?!?' - bit different babe."
The This Morning presenter then joked: "'Are you annoyed they didn’t recognise you'- completely heartbroken. Just manners. Enjoy your day. Look both ways."
The update has prompted more reaction from X users, with many agreeing with his argument. One follower posted in solidarity with the star, writing: "Agree with you... just basic manners! I feel the same when driving and you pull over to allow someone coming the other way to pass... and they don't say thank you!"
But one follower called out the celeb, writing: "You just come across as a really preachy, petty millionaire celebrity. A person who has rose to the top with basically zero intellect and next to no talent. Maybe just not focus on criticising us plebs for very little things?" Rylan replied: "What do I preach about? Zebra crossing etiquette... mate, I'm the LEAST preachy. As for no talent and zero intellect, made me a millionaire. It's not a big deal, just winds me up."