We truly don’t deserve Rylan Clark.
Seriously, what even was TV before that fateful series of The X Factor that launched the ‘joke act’ to public consciousness and shortly thereafter to National Treasure status?
Sure, he may not have been destined to have the career of Whitney Houston but it’s safe to say that a life without Rylan on the ‘box is really no life at all.
And we would know, because the last year has seen us starved of his effervescence and charm after he took an extended break away from TV work as he dealt privately with the breakdown of his marriage.
![Rylan Clark Dan Neal](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/61a8/eb5d/d02f/1ebe/b9e2/ab3b/rylan-clark-dan-neal.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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Rylan Clark takes to social media to share emotional post following split from husband
Sadface.
Now he’s finally opened up about why time off from work was “needed” as he chatted with friend and daytime telly queen Lorraine Kelly.
Rylan said, “I was not good, I think everybody knows that.
“I am usually on TV every five minutes – I apologise if you see my mug all the time – but I had four months off and it was needed. Maybe the time off is what I needed. But I am good."
CHECK OUT The X Factor 'joke' acts
The X Factor joke acts - where are they now? - slider
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/3464/55b2/9a03/7adb/3011/GettyImages-567243927.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Wagner then
You need to cast your mind back to 2010 to remember Wagner, the Brazilian pocket rocket who had us in stitches with his theatrical performances, while simultaneously covering our ears to block out the noise he was making with his mouth.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/346d/55b2/9a84/3cdb/3012/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%203.47.28%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Wagner now
Wagner's comic appeal saw him finish sixth in the seventh series – a placing which irked top judge Simon no end. In 2012 he caused controversy when he had a baby with his then 20-year-old girlfriend Lydia – who's 36 years his junior.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/3480/55b2/9aab/f1db/3013/stevie%20ritchie.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Stevi Ritchie then
Resident joke act in 2014 was Stevi (he dropped the 'e' - pure edge) Ritchie, a fan of big songs and big vocals that verged on shouting a lot of the time. He went on to have a relationship with fellow 2014 contestant, Chloe Jasmine but definitely not for publicity or anything like that.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/3488/55b2/9a51/5edb/3014/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%203.53.58%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Stevi Ritchie now
Stevi has been busy showing off his killer new bod on Instagram after dropping over three stone in just eight weeks with a grueling diet and exercise regime. Sadly, his romance with Chloe wasn't to last, but he did pop up in a selfie of hers on Insta earlier this year.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/34c1/55b2/9a49/c2db/301b/diva-fever.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Diva Fever then
Also from series seven and one of the only novelty acts to be mentored by Simon Cowell, Diva Fever were a camp-as-they-come party act made up of Craig and Josef. They made it to week two of the live shows before they were booted off.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/4597/55b2/9afe/93db/3280/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-18%20at%203.56.01%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Diva Fever now
Though it looks as though Diva Fever have officially disbanded, we're pleased to report that Josef and Craig are still pals and were out in force this year to celebrate Pride with their squad.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/366b/55b2/9aec/8cdb/3043/Jonny-robinson.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Johnny Robinson then
Series eight saw one of our all time FAVOURITE contestants take to the stage and blow away the judges - this time with Gary Barlow in the top spot – with his mega voice. Johnny Robinson was mentored by Louis Walsh in his over 25s category, and lasted until week five in the live shows.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/4c83/55b2/9ae3/b9db/337a/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-18%20at%202.55.20%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Johnny Robinson now
Prior to his stint on The X Factor, Johnny performed as his drag alter ego, Sarah Lee, and in 2016 he reprised the role and released two singles, Eaten Alive and Deliver Me. Last year he gave an interview for The Sun's Back To Reality series, where he said he'd "rather bake a quiche" than find love.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/409d/55b2/9a27/1ddb/31b8/chico.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Chico then
The original joke act, Chico was mentored by Sharon Osbourne way back in 2005 for the second series of The X Factor, which was won by Shane Ward and was the first series anyone really paid attention to, anyway. His performances were crazy high energy, and one time he poured a glass of water over himself mid song.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/40a2/55b2/9a6c/fedb/31b9/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%204.25.48%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Chico now
Chico went onto have some success with his single, It's Chico Time (erotic, hypnotic, exotic, that's for sure) and since then has launched his own fitness program and classes, Block 1. Last year he suffered a stroke following a blood clot on the brain, but quickly made a full recovery.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/40cb/55b2/9ac7/06db/31c0/GettyImages-158124372.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Jedward then
Another of Louis Walsh's bright ideas, Jedward were bound to win over the X Factor mainstay hailing from his native Ireland. They delivered consistently cringe-worthy productions with backing vocals – but still made it to week seven, because, as we've seen – the public love a novelty act.*sarcasm
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/40bc/55b2/9a5e/11db/31bb/GettyImages-873379022.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Jedward now
This photo is from 2017, but let's be honest, Jedward haven't changed a bit, leading us to suspect they are in fact alien bots from the future sent to Earth for reasons so evil we couldn't possibly comprehend them. So far they're not doing a bad job of that, so we'll leave it there.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/410b/55b2/9a43/c8db/31cb/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%204.32.41%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
2Shoes then
In 2011, Essex- based duo 2Shoes won over Tulisa and took their place in the groups for series eight - but were pipped to the post by another girl group now known as Little Mix. Their infectious girly pop - and fondness of referring to each other as 'Shoe' – was cute, but got old quickly and they were eliminated in week one.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/4112/55b2/9a16/01db/31d0/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%205.10.06%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
2Shoes now
SHUT UP! Far from having their confidence knocked from their time on X Factor, Charley and Lucy have continued to perform as 2Shoes, and earlier this year released a fab cover of Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next on YouTube. Meanwhile, Charley is now a mum of two after announcing her first pregnancy during the live show rehearsals.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/4121/55b2/9a68/addb/31d4/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%204.06.10%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Rylan Clark then
Rylan had already starred on Signed By Katie Price when he auditioned for X Factor with long, platinum blonde hair and a bizarre dance version of Des 'Ree's Kissing You in 2012. But he really cemented his future sleb status with his LEGENDARY breakdown at Nicole Scherzinger's house, after she told him he was going through to the live shows.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/412a/55b2/9a5b/abdb/31d5/GettyImages-912391546.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Rylan Clark-Neal now
It can be easy to forget about Rylan's humble beginnings, what with being a bona fide national treasure these days. He's worked on everything from Big Brother's Bit on the Side to the Eurovision spin off, You Decide. He's got a regular slot onThis Morning, stole the show on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his mum Sandra and is currently filling the iconic shoes of Dale Winton in the reboot of Supermarket Sweep. In his personal life, he married policeman and Big Brother 14 housemate Dan Neal. Oh also, we love him.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/4149/55b2/9a75/44db/31de/Samedifference.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Same Difference then
Same Difference was made up of brother and sister Sean and Sarah Smith, and their brand of pop-meets-musical-theatre saw them sail through to third place under the mentorship of Simon Cowell – without falling into the bottom two ONCE during the live shows.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/815f/502d/fb58/0777/9afa/sean-sarah-smith.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Same Difference now
Sean is still singing, most recently performing at the Weston-Super-Mare Pride event in August 2019, and he's still got Same Difference in his Twitter bio so he's clearly not even embarrassed about it. Meanwhile little sis Sarah has been popping out kids, and is now mum to two boys, Bertie and Barney. Cute.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/416b/55b2/9aa7/b2db/31e6/GettyImages-612926242.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Honey G then
It's unclear whether Honey G - real name Anna Georgette Gilford – was a parody character or just one of the most dedicated acts in X Factor history, but either way, the public certainly warmed to her polite rap persona and she placed fifth in 2016 under Sharon Osbourne, who returned to the show for that series.
![X Factor joke acts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d82/417d/55b2/9a0a/52db/31eb/Screen%20Shot%202019-09-17%20at%204.13.09%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Honey G now
Honey did actually sign to SyCo, Simon Cowell's record label, before Christmas of that year but was dropped after just four months when her single charted at no. 149 in the UK charts – one of the lowest performing X Factor singles of all time. In 2017, she went on to star on Channel 5 make-under series 100% Hotter (dubbed "the most judgemental show on TV" by critics) where she was stripped of her hat and sunglasses.
WATCH What happens backstage at This Morning? The cast spill some serious tea
Rylan – who split from his husband of six years Dan Neal this summer – previously revealed he was “seeking help” for his mental health, telling The Sun in June, “I have taken time away from work as I am not in a good place at the moment.
“I am trying to take each day at a time and would like to thank you to everyone for their support and for respecting our privacy at this time.”
In October, a source told Closer that despite the couple fighting to save their relationship, their marriage was “unsalvageable” and that they were filing for divorce.
They said, “Rylan’s celeb pals have been rallying around him and checking in constantly to ensure he knows he has people to talk to.
"Katie [Price aka Jordan] in particular has been his rock over the last few weeks, and given she’s been through three marriage splits herself, she understands the torment he’s going through.
"He’s also had messages from Simon [Cowell] and Ruth [Langsford]. Having such an incredible support network around him has been hugely comforting as, while he’s in a very dark place, he knows he has people who love and care about him and it means a lot knowing he’s not alone and has people he can call any time of the day or night.”
Speaking to The Sun of Rylan’s decision to step back from work commitments, an insider said, “Rylan’s one of the most beloved people on TV so fans will be sad to hear what has happened.
“He often spoke of their relationship on air and they even co-hosted an episode of This Morning but unfortunately things haven’t worked out.
“They don’t want to discuss it in public and a bit of time off is probably for the best for now. Rylan’s a huge talent so obviously fans and TV execs are hoping to see him back on the airwaves soon.”