Rylan Clark backed by Ronan Keating as he dedicates song to him live on stage

Ronan Keating has backed TV presenter Rylan Clark, just days after the ITV star issued his controversial opinion on immigration while presenting This Morning. During the newspaper segment of the programme, Rylan was joined by his co-star Josie Gibson along with Tim Campbell and Camilla Tominey when he shared his passionate rant. This came after Reform UK's Nigel Farage unveiled his plan for mass deportations and shared party outlines if he is elected to the Government. Rylan's comments sparked a wave of backlash, as many took to social media to blast the 36-year-old, while a staggering 576 issued complaints to the regulator, Ofcom.

Despite this, the former Boyzone sensation dedicated a song to the presenter while performing at Radio 2 in the Park on Saturday (September 6). Addressing the crowd, Ronan said: "This is a big gig tonight, a nice vibe, we're in Chelmsford - also we're in the home of Rylan. I thought I might do something nice for Rylan tonight, so I wrote a song, especially for you all." The singer added: "No one's ever heard it before. This is brand new, it's about Essex, it's about Rylan."

"Just go with it, this is not the time to go to the toilet, or go to the bar. Look at all those people moving over there, you'll regret it, come back," the singer quipped.

Ronan then performed his most famous Number-One hit, When You Say Nothing At All, in dedication to Rylan.

When asked how he felt about Ronan's tribute, Rylan told the MailOnline: "I'm not going to talk about anything today," before adding, "I love Ronan, he's a really good friend of mine."

Before Rylan voiced his opinion, he noted it was professionals from "other countries" that saved his mother Linda's life and credited them for "paying into this tax system" and "helping this country thrive."

He then complained: "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."

During his rant, Rylan went on to claim asylum seekers given free goodies, saying: "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."

"There are people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling. They're homeless. Let's not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this," he added.