RYLAN CLARK-NEAL has defended his decision to take a break from This Morning after being hit by comments from Twitter trolls.
The 29-year-old announced he would be taking a short leave of the ITV show earlier this month.
In a since deleted tweet, the former X Factor star posted to his 1.5million fans: “Rumours impress why I’m ‘leaving’ or been ‘axed’ from @thismorning. Truth is I need a break.
WHEN YOU PIT A NICE LITTLE TWEET UP AND PEOPLE PIPE UP..... I’ll just keep it simple....... I’ve not been sacked from @thismorning just having some time off that’s all. Night
“I’ve been working constantly for 5 years and I need some time to myself. I’ll still be at Big Bro[ther]. I just need to take some time to myself.
“That’s all. I’ll be back soon xxx,” he posted.
However, Rylan soon deleted the post after being hit by a barrage of abusive tweets in response to his explanation.
One Twitter user posted: “Great the you get that privilege, majority of people work from age of 16 till they retire!!”(sic)
Another fumed: “Try working 20 years for the NHS we could all do with a break!!”
A third added: “You are leaving because you need a break from work? Try doing a real job for 30yrs, 12hrs a day. Doing a few hours every morning like you do is a piece of cake. Absolute joke, there will be mothers and fathers out there laughing to bits #Lazy.”
Rylan then replaced the seemingly inflammatory tweet with: “WHEN YOU PUT A NICE LITTLE TWEET UP AND PEOPLE PIPE UP… I’ll jus keep it simple… I’ve not been sacked from @thismorning just having some time off that’s all. Night.”
Rylan initially told hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: “I’ve not really said anything but after Christmas, next Friday, I’m going to be going away for a little bit.”
He added that is was “definitely not goodbye” and that he would be back in the new year following a short break.
His reassurances weren’t enough for Holly, 36, who lamented: “I feel like you're a child going off travelling to experience things new.
"We’re always here for you, so come back whenever you like.”
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