Rylan Clark has admitted that he just wants to 'sit indoors in his pyjamas for a bit' after quitting Strictly's It Takes Two.
The former X Factor star, 34, took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce his decision to step down as host of Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two.
Much to the shock of his huge fanbase, Rylan tweeted: "Been a pleasure @bbcstrictly," alongside an emotional statement thanking the BBC series.
Rylan's statement read: "After four fantastic years it's time for me to hang up my glittery jacket and say goodbye to It Takes Two.
"I've had the best time hosting alongside Janette and Zoe and I can't thank the amazing team enough for always putting on a great show."
"I've been welcomed into the Strictly family and will firmly hold that title dear to me. The time has come for me to pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me.
"Thank you Strictly, you will always have my heart... and my dancing feet."
Lifting the lid on his decision to quit, Rylan told his BBC Radio 2 listeners on Saturday that he just wants to chill out for a little bit after sharing the shocking career news.
“So I just want to say publicly to all the Strictly family, I love you dearly for the last four years," he said.
“Can I just confirm please as well, I’m seeing all the rumours. Please carry on with your rumours, I ain’t going anywhere darling. It was just my time to say thank you and you know, go, and I don’t know, sit indoors in my pyjamas for a bit.”
After Rylan's shock announcement earlier this week, Strictly's official Twitter page also shared the news and paid tribute to Rylan's time on It Takes Two.
They wrote: "@Rylan is stepping down from hosting duties on #ItTakesTwo. Thank you, Rylan for the last four years, continuing the sparkle of Saturday night throughout the week. You will be sorely missed by the entire Strictly family."
A statement on behalf of Kate Phillips, director of BBC Unscripted read: “On behalf of BBC Two, BBC Daytime, and Strictly fans everywhere, I want to thank Rylan for entertaining audiences so brilliantly for the past four years on Strictly It Takes Two.
“Rylan’s infectious personality, his stand-out sass and his genuine love for all the glitz and glamour of the ballroom has been a big part of It Takes Two’s continued success.
“Rylan will always be part of the Strictly family of course, but I know he will be hugely missed by all the Strictly It Takes Two viewers, Janette and everyone else who works on the show.”
The show was originally hosted by Claudia Winkleman but in 2011 Zoe Ball took over and was joined by Rylan in 2019 as a co-host.
In 2021, Zoe announced she would be stepping down and Janette Manrara was later confirmed as her replacement.
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