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Rylan Clark has laughed off being ‘cancelled’ over his immigration views(Image: Southend Theatre)

Rylan Clark has made light of his ‘cancellation’ after swearing in front of large groups of children. The TV star suffered a slip-up while on stage in a pantomime over the weekend – but quickly recovered by mocking his own misfortune.

The 37-year-old former X Factor contestant sparked a backlash earlier this year when he took a stance against illegal migration while presenting live on ITV’s This Morning. The TV star’s comments divided opinions, with some viewers slamming him for his views, while some even went as far as complaining to Ofcom.

In recent weeks, Rylan has been starring on stage as a Fairy Godfather in a production of Cinderella at Southend Cliffs Pavilion in Essex. The cast includes former Lorraine correspondent and recent Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ross King, who plays Buttons.

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Rylan received backlash after discussing immigration on This Morning in August(Image: ITV)

According to the Daily Mail, during one on-stage appearance, Rylan accidentally swore in front of a sold-out crowd, which included dozens of children in the audience. Quickly correcting himself, the TV star made light of the situation – joking he would be “cancelled for the second time in a year.” The Mirror has contacted Rylan’s representatives for comment.

Rylan’s comment is a clear reference to the scandal he ignited back in August when he spoke out against illegal immigration while on live TV. The reality star claimed that some people who make their way to the UK by crossing the Channel on small boats are given preferential treatment.

Acknowledging that many migrants enter the UK via legal routes and establish themselves as part of society, he began: “This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration — a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life have come over here from other countries. They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.”

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Rylan’s comment on Migrant Channel crossings sparked backlash(Image: PA Wire)

But he went on to suggest there was “something wrong” with the way some that land on UK soil appear to be fast-tracked to comfortable living arrangements. He said: “I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel. And when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are saying there’s something wrong, it feels like, ‘Welcome, come on in’.

“That’s the narrative we’re being fed. Here’s the iPad. Here’s the NHS in reception of your hotel. Here’s three meals a day. Here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome. And then there’s people who have lived here all their lives who are struggling?”

He went on: “The money that is costing us, the amount of people that are in this country that we have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of, and clearly we see a lot of it in the press.”

And he added: “How can it be that if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in. But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?”

After his comments provoked furious debate online, Ryland followed up his discussion with a further statement – released via Instagram Stories. He wrote: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women. You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. This list continues. Stop with this putting everyone in a box and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”

It was not enough for some fans, however, who decided to lodge complaints with Ofcom instead. It was reported that This Morning received over 700 Ofcom complaints about his comments.

An Ofcom spokesperson previously told The Independent: “We’re assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”