Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark have embarked on a new journey this time – “A Voyage to India.” Similar to their previous travel series through Italy, it’s rich in cultural experiences (credit to Rob), witty remarks and humorous toilet humor (thanks to Rylan), and laughter (thanks to both, but mainly Rylan).
Due to their contrasting characteristics, they make an exceptional pair on a team: Rob is refined, articulate, and tall; Rylan is blunt, colloquial, and hails from Essex. Rylan stands at 6 feet 4 inches, while Rob is slightly shorter. At first glance, you might think they’re quite dissimilar. However, the longer you observe them, the more their shared traits become apparent. These aren’t just their superficial similarities (both male, gay, and single at the time), but rather their deeper ones; Rylan has his own way of being emotional like Rob, while Rob can be as vulgar as Rylan when needed.
In a cafe in London, we catch up. They’ve enjoyed the performance and are eager for my opinion, curiously asking, “Did you enjoy it? I mean truly?” Rob expresses his eagerness with a touch of apprehension. He adds, “Your feedback means a great deal to me.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Rylan adds. “The second album is always a worry!”
As a dedicated fan, I can share that these two individuals weren’t overly acquainted prior to their collaboration on the Italy series. However, by the time they had tackled India together, they claimed they felt as if they had known each other for much longer. Interestingly enough, they both emphasized that unlike many documentary productions, there wasn’t a single scene planned or pre-staged beforehand.
In a straightforward and conversational manner: When Rylan feels like he’s about to meet his end while riding a rickshaw in Delhi’s traffic, it’s sincere and authentic. Similarly, when Rob throws a fit upon learning they will witness street puppetry, only to discover later that it becomes his favorite part of the tour, it’s true to life. Not forgetting their visit to the astrologer which adds a touch of realism to their experiences.
“That was without doubt the funniest moment in my life,” Rob says.
“It’s not mine,” Rylan replies with a snarl. “F**king astrologer.”
The astrologer under discussion shared with Rob that he’s delightful during his positive moments, yet can be quite fearsome when he’s feeling down.
In response, Rylan says, “Indeed, but we both understand that’s the case,” before Rob adds, “I felt understood.” Following this, Rylan shares his perspective, stating, “He then accused me of having mental health issues, labeled me promiscuous, predicted I’d get gout, and declared I’d never find happiness!
“But you disproportionately took the negatives,” says Rob.
“What were the positives in that?” replies Rylan indignantly.
Rylan remarks, ‘I doubt he would,’ implying that if someone is a psychic, they wouldn’t reveal a person’s impending doom such as getting hit by a bus and dying. He found it unfair that he was told such things, saying, ‘for someone supposedly the best in the world, he wasn’t very kind.’
The Italian Grand Tour of Rob and Rylan was aired in May, and both have recently gone through divorces. As Rylan explains, “It was about discovering ourselves after difficult times, and realizing there’s a world waiting for us.” Now, he adds, “We know who we are, so we’re exploring what we hope to gain from life.
The Grand Tour had an impact, causing the public to view Rob less as the stern judge from daytime TV who would bang a gavel, and more like a person with intelligence beyond what he appears.
Individuals who have kept tabs on Rylan’s professional journey will discern that there is nothing foolish about the ex-X Factor competitor. He can be provocative, which unquestionably adds to his allure, but it sometimes lands him in uncomfortable situations. A week after our encounter, he found himself embroiled in a nationwide uproar as a guest host on This Morning. During a discussion about immigration, he seemed to imply that asylum seekers are often lodged in luxury hotels equipped with recreation areas, offered iPads, and granted immediate access to the National Health Service upon arrival, leading them to enjoy a life of ease in Britain.
As a movie buff, I’d say: From my perspective, the situation regarding asylum seekers in the UK isn’t entirely clear-cut. Many individuals who come here seeking safety aren’t permitted to work. Those residing in hotels where meals are served receive a weekly allowance from the government, either £9.95 if they opt for provided meals or £49.18 if they prefer self-catering. However, this information seems oversimplified and potentially inaccurate, as Refugee Action suggests.
While Rylan might not immediately come across as living a lavish life, given his roles as a presenter on ITV, a voice at Radio 2, and even appearing as himself on Doctor Who, his words carry significant weight. In fact, his influence rivals that of many politicians, demonstrating his prominence in today’s media landscape.
Some admired his straightforwardness, yet others criticized him for stirring up fear and prejudice towards foreigners – lacking proper information – in a politically volatile atmosphere.
In an effort to calm things down, he subsequently shared on social media that one can support immigration but oppose unlawful entry. On This Morning, although he began his remarks stating that this was “the story being told,” he didn’t dispute it in the moment.
Looking back, Rylan might have appreciated having Rob with him to balance his opinions. Rob’s presence was definitely comforting when they both landed in India, a place where Rob had previous experience and held a deep affection for. On the other hand, Rylan was initially unfamiliar with India and found it hard to take a liking to it at first. So, one could wonder, what is it about India that Rob cherishes so much?
He looks at Rylan. “I’m going to get into trouble with you for being twatty.”
“Here we go!” says Rylan.
“It’s just a rich tapestry of colour everywhere,” says Rob.
“Here we go!” says Rylan once again.
Rob emphasizes his fascination instead, stating, ‘I can’t get enough of it.’ For him, the variety – the aroma, noise, feel, and vibrancy, even the chaos – is what he adores about it, and India perfectly embodies all those aspects.
Rylan strongly stated, ‘I didn’t.’ He disembarked from the plane, navigated through customs, and encountered an unexpected incident – a bite on his face. Following this, he was hastily transported in a rickshaw, leaving him feeling as if he might not survive. This experience was a massive cultural shock for him, as he had never before encountered anything quite like it.
“You’re very adaptable,” say Rob. “I didn’t expect you to adapt as well.”
Rylan nods. “Yeah, that’s what I learnt about myself. I didn’t expect to adapt so well either.”
Indeed, since they’re Rob and Rylan, we have the opportunity to delve into their lives more deeply. For instance, you might find it surprising that they share a number of commonalities in their upbringing. They were both raised by their mothers and maintain strong bonds with them. Interestingly, Rob confessed that his affluent image is contrived. He didn’t hail from a wealthy background initially, but he intentionally crafted a persona to project a certain image of himself.
“It’s artifice,” he says.
Rylan grins. “He’s as rough as arseholes, he is.”
Rob responds, ‘He’s not exactly bad people,'” or “Rob says, ‘He’s not entirely unpleasant,'” indicates that Rob is saying his father isn’t completely negative. The second sentence implies that Rob and Rylan share a similar perspective on the world, as they come from a similar background and hold similar values.
Rylan’s coke and burger arrives. “Is this real Coke or the Mickey Mouse coke?” he asks the waiter.
Rob exclaims, ‘Mariah’ – a reference to the singer Mariah Carey, known for her supposedly divalike behavior. He’s referring to Rylan’s requirements, stating that it must include only premium Coca-Cola.”
Or more casually:
“Rob yells out, ‘He’s like Mariah Carey!’ implying Rylan’s demanding nature. As for his preferences, he insists it’s got to be the good stuff – top-notch Coca-Cola.
Is he more Mariah than you, I wonder, to which Rob replies, “Oh my God, yes!”
Rylan interjects. “Ask Bea for real answers. She’s our makeup artist and our therapist.”
Bea is sitting with us. She points to Rob.
“Me more Mariah! Whaaaaaaat? Oh my God! In what way? We have different Mariahs.”
“My Mariah is travel and accommodation,” explains Rylan. “I’ve got to travel comfortably.
Regardless of when you arrange it, I’m flexible as long as my destination is a comfortable hotel room at the end of the day. The rest, I can manage just fine.
“I want to be left alone to read,” says Rob.
“And gym,” says Bea.
“And swim,” adds Rylan. “And he gets up at 3am!”
“I don’t sleep very much,” Rob concedes.
In Italy, they spend a considerable amount of time exploring art, with Rob serving as the guide. A significant portion focuses on themes of sex and death, reflecting their intrigue with these subjects. They explore the locations of ancient erotic art in Khajuraho and are captivated by the lively portrayals of sensuality. “Sex and shame, as well as the body, are topics we discuss frequently,” Rob remarks, “However, at the core of ancient Indian cultural and religious life is the reverence for sex.” Rylan agrees fervently, “I’ve never witnessed so many stone statues of female genitalia.
They transition from discussing sex to talking about love and relationships. Rylan expresses his desire to have children, saying, “I really want to become a father and I have plenty of love to give.” For Rob, it seems less straightforward. He explains, “I’m over a decade older than you, and when I came out, having children wasn’t an option on the table. It was rarely discussed.” Rylan points out that he is only 47 and adds, “In today’s world, age isn’t much of an issue anymore, and neither is sexuality.
It’s interesting, isn’t it, how many people seem to think we’re in a relationship. Rylan explains there are two main reasons for this misconception. Firstly, because we work together on the show and often display affection towards each other. Secondly, he believes that some people still cling to the outdated notion that if two men get along, they must be romantically involved. Even my mother has had well-wishers offering their congratulations!
Rob nods. “People say Mazel Tov to my mum.”
Rylan jokes, “He never assists during photo shoots at events and gazes at me with obvious admiration.
“How am I not supposed to look up?” wails Rob. “To look in your eyes, I need a step ladder.”
Rylan confirms his feelings for him, but jokes that if they were married, he’d probably be in trouble for suffocating him with a pillow. He sarcastically suggests that marriage is nothing but constant bickering and lack of intimacy. However, he emphasizes their closeness, stating they’ve seen each other naked, but have not taken their relationship any further.
“No way!” Rob squirms but Rylan out-squirms him. “It would feel like incest.”
In the production of the series last year, both individuals were unattached. Have their relationship statuses changed since then? It seems Rylan is perplexed about this question. When asked, he responds with a puzzled “Yes… no… what?”
Or more casually:
Last year during the series, they were both single. Are they still single now? Rylan looks confused and answers with a bewildered “Yes…no…what?”
The goal is to make the sentence easier to understand while maintaining the original context and tone of the conversation.
“I’m single,” Rob says.
According to Rylan, Rob has a romantic involvement, and he himself admits this while stating that he is terribly unskilled at telling lies, further adding “Yes, I’m currently dating someone, and I’m content.
How long has he had a boyfriend?
He disagrees by saying, “No, we’re not going ahead with that,” and Rob assures me that his “boyfriend” is indeed a kind person. Rylan concurs, adding that at the current moment, he seems content.
In this series, the mothers significantly feature, either through video calls or discussions among the men. It’s evident that both characters harbor deep fear about their mothers passing away. Rob, in particular, acknowledges that his general fear of death has hindered him from truly living life to its fullest. Upon visiting Varanasi, the city on the Ganges where countless people are annually cremated and released into the river Ganges for attainment of Nirvana, both characters experience a profound impact.
Rob expresses that death and the anxiety associated with it has always been a powerful, persistent presence for him. He describes it as an impending feeling of ending, an unfathomable terror. Growing up, he learned to fear death, but facing it so directly, vividly, and literally has led to an unusual realization – we’re all temporary. This realization brings a sense of liberation. Rob is captivated by Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem ‘Ozymandias.'”
Rylan reacts skeptically, rolling his eyes.
The ancient traveler gazes upon a colossal figure, much like a deification of time. Inscribed on it reads: ‘I am Ozymandias, the mightiest king; behold my accomplishments, you powerful ones, and tremble!’ However, Rylan simply sighs in response.
As I stroll away, I can’t help but acknowledge the grand ruins before me, a stark contrast against the vast, unending expanse of desert. It struck me then, as it often does in moments like these, that everything we cling to as permanent, our worries and concerns, has a tendency to dissipate just as quickly as the sands under my feet.
For Rylan it’s all a bit simpler. “I’m more worried about losing my mum than losing my own life.
My trip to Varanasi taught me to focus on enjoying what I do, and if something doesn’t bring me happiness, then it’s probably best not to engage in it.
Despite their varying ways of putting it, they both emphasize the lesson India imparted on the significance of being present. I inquire about any aspects they find irritating in each other.
Rob looks at Rylan. “That you will not read.”
He says he’s too busy to read a book,” he responds. “Sometimes he gets overly analytical and complicates things unnecessarily. When we encounter obstacles like a path with broken glass, drunk people, or a hole, he frets about it excessively. I, on the other hand, simply suggest we navigate around these hurdles. Instead of finding creative solutions to deal with the broken glass or filling a hole, he might even pull out a book to figure it out.
Rob laughs. “It’s so true.”
What do they love about each other?
Rob on Rylan: “I love his natural intelligence.”
I appreciate Rob because he’s like an ever-knowing source of information, ready to provide answers when you ask questions. However, he hasn’t personally experienced some things yet. So, once we witness them together, that’s when the learning happens.
I take his books, and he takes my eyes.”
Rob appreciatively remarks, ‘What a smart observation!’ as he looks at Rylan warmly. ‘I’d keep you here twice as long if we were discussing Foucault and the roots of how shame arises from sexuality through the Christian church,’ Rob says. ‘But I see you don’t require any of that.’
Rylan grins; his teeth bright enough to see your reflection in. “Who?” he says.
The journey of Rob and Rylan on ‘Passage to India’ will be aired on BBC Two this Sunday, 14th September, starting at 9 PM. You can also catch up with all the episodes on iPlayer.
* Include “Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India” in your list of shows to watch on TopMob: What to Watch app – get it today for personalized daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.
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