Rylan explains why he wasn't wearing a poppy on Strictly show It Takes Two following moans from viewers
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Strictly: It Takes Two: Rylan addresses appearance after poppy backlash

One complained 'privileged TV presenters should lead by example'

It Takes Two host Rylan Clark has explained why he wasn’t wearing a poppy during the Strictly Come Dancing spin off show yesterday.

Some viewers picked up almost immediately that the TV presenter didn’t have an artificial flower pinned to his chest for the Monday (November 8) episode.

But any backlash was soon extinguished after outrage expressed on Twitter proved to be ill-founded.

Some viewers were not happy about Rylan being poppy-less
Some Strictly: It Takes Two viewers were not happy about Rylan being poppy-less (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

What did viewers say about Rylan appearing on Strictly without a poppy?

Within minutes of the broadcast starting, a few social media users questioned why Rylan was not poppied up.

“#ItTakesTwo Anyone know why Rylan isn’t wearing a poppy?” mused one person, adding two thinking face emojis to their tweet.

“@bbcstrictly why hasn’t Rylan got a poppy on?” asked a second.

Here come the poppy police.

A third person addressed their query to a Strictly fansite account: “@StrictlyITT why has Rylan not got a poppy on? #LestWeForget.”

And a fourth haughtily demanded: “@bbcstrictly Can you tell me why Rylan is not wearing a Poppy, surely privileged TV presenters should lead by example?”

Read more: Rylan Clark claims that he’s ‘poor’ after scammers access his bank account

However, the complaints themselves also came in for objections from other users.

One person replied: “You don’t need to wear a symbol to remember.”

Another suggested: “Because, perhaps he forgot? It’s not a criminal offence.”

“Because it’s not compulsory? #ItTakesTwo,” a third person contributed.

And a fourth person chuckled: “Here come the poppy police.”

Adam Peaty and Katya Jones were both poppied up
Adam Peaty and Katya Jones were both poppied up (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

Rylan DID wear a poppy

However, a poppy badge did later appear on Rylan during his interview with Adam Peaty and Katya Jones.

He told his Twitter fans after the show: “FYI my poppy fell off just as we went on air tonight (I was dancing obvs).

“Was put back on in the VT package.”

One follower empathised: “Forever losing poppies, the pin never stays on. Gutted.”

Ta-da! Rylan's poppy soon appeared
Ta-da! Rylan’s poppy soon appeared (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

Someone else suggested a Strictly costume maker could make him a special one resistant to falling off when boogying.

“You should ask @VickyGillDesign to make you a dance-proof poppy,” they suggested.

But another eagle-eyed onlooker noticed the reinstatement during the broadcast.

Read more: Rylan Clark shows off ‘new look’ during epic birthday celebrations

They wrote, adding a rolling on the floor laughing emoji to their post: “Sudden poppy badge attachment there @Rylan @bbcstrictly.”

Others, however, were unimpressed with the knee-jerk reactions surrounding the remembrance symbol.

Some Strictly fans were quick to complain about Rylan (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

“Hahaha the poppy police are cross with Rylan #ItTakesTwo,” one Twitter user goaded.

And another sighed: “If you want to know why he’s having to explain just type ‘Rylan poppy’ into the search bar. Some sad people out there.”

Strictly – It Takes Two airs on BBC 2 tonight, Tuesday November 9, from 6.30pm.

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer