ITV show This Morning has been hit with 576 complaints to Ofcom following immigration remarks made by presenter Rylan Clark during the August 27 broadcast.
The broadcasting regulator confirmed it received the complaints relating to comments the 36-year-old made whilst standing in for regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We're assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate."
The former X Factor contestant sparked widespread debate after making claims about asylum seekers during a news segment alongside co-host Josie Gibson.
Rylan's This Morning speech has resulted in over 500 Ofcom complaints
|ITV
His remarks, which included assertions about migrants receiving iPads and four-star hotel accommodation, prompted immediate criticism from viewers who accused him of spreading misinformation.
During the broadcast, Mr Clark began by acknowledging that "this country is built on immigration" and praising healthcare workers from overseas who "saved my mum's life".
However, he then claimed that when asylum seekers arrive in the UK, "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."
The presenter contrasted this with British citizens struggling with homelessness and veterans living on the streets.
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Rylan Clark argued 'something needs to be done' about illegal immigration on ITV's This Morning | ITVHe concluded by asking: "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?"
Mr Clark defended his position on Instagram hours after the broadcast, writing: "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."
He urged critics to "stop with this putting everyone in a box and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter."
ITV GMB: Susanna Reid defended Rylan on Tuesday's Good Morning Britain
| ITVOn Tuesday's Good Morning Britain, presenter Susanna Reid defended Mr Clark when correspondent Kevin Maguire accused him of "regurgitating terrible myths" about migrants.
Ms Reid interrupted, stating: "He pointed out that this country is built on immigration and he was grateful to all of the migrants who have come to the NHS for helping support his mum."
You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes
— R Y L A N (@Rylan) August 27, 2025
You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women
You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights
The list continues. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations…
Mr Maguire responded: "He also regurgitated a load of myths and lies. Let's not ignore that."
Elsewhere, GB News regular Lizzie Cundy was another famous face who leapt to the BBC Radio 2 star's defence. In a debate with Ben McLaine from Turn Left Media, Ms Cundy fumed that Mr Clark was merely expressing the sentiment shared by many in the public.
"People are genuinely scared about what is going on in their towns," she argued, defending the right to voice such worries without being labelled as spreading misinformation.
She highlighted that almost 60,000 people had arrived illegally since Labour took office, asserting that Mr Clark was "correct to say what he said."
"That's what it's about, freedom of speech. If you don't like it, go to China," Cundy declared.
However, Mr McLaine insisted that "facts don't care about your feelings" and claimed Mr Clark's statements were "factually untrue and based on disinformation."