Television personality Rylan Clark has offered a heartfelt update on his personal life, declaring his new boyfriend, Kennedy Bates, is 'someone I've been waiting for for a long time'. The 37-year-old star took to social media to reflect on an 'amazing' 2025 and look ahead to the new year with his new partner.
A New Chapter After Divorce
Rylan, who was married to Dan Neal for six years before their divorce in 2021, revealed he is in a new relationship with Kennedy Bates, a manager at the Billy Bates & Sons funfair in Leicestershire. The presenter made their romance Instagram official in September 2025, sharing loved-up snaps from a romantic trip to Florence, Italy.
In a significant personal milestone, Rylan confirmed that Kennedy is the first person he has introduced to his family in the four years since his divorce. Speaking on Louis Theroux's 'How To Be In Love' podcast, Rylan expressed his happiness, stating the relationship feels 'very different to anything I've had before'.
Going Public with Their Romance
Unlike his previous approach to dating, Rylan has been deliberately open about this relationship. He told Theroux he had been 'blatant' about it, going on multiple public dates, but joked that 'nobody noticed'. The couple have been inseparable over the summer, attending gigs together including an Oasis reunion show.
Rylan first shared news of the relationship publicly on his BBC Radio 2 show in August 2025, after a playful exchange with co-host Lottie. He admitted he had 'kept it a secret for so long' but was finally ready to confirm he was 'seeing someone'.
Future Plans and Family Hopes
The couple have already discussed their future together, including the possibility of starting a family. During his podcast interview, when asked about children by Louis Theroux, Rylan replied: 'Yeah, I want kids. He wants kids.'
As the clock ticked down to 2026, Rylan posted a poignant message on Instagram against a black background. He wrote: 'Finishing this year happy with someone I've been waiting for for a long time. Thanks for another amazing year. Bye 2025... stay safe, stay well and look after each other... Onto 2026.'
The update was met with an outpouring of support from fans and celebrity friends alike. Well-known figures including Carol Vorderman, Louise Redknapp, and Ruth Langsford all shared their appreciation and good wishes in the comments section of his post.
