Rylan Clark-Neal: ‘I’d rather cook, than go out!’
Rylan Clark-Neal talks Ready Steady Cook, improving his culinary skills, and why he’s become quite the home bird...
He’s one of TV and radio’s most hard-working stars. Now, the ever-entertaining Rylan Clark-Neal is adding another string to his bow, as he gets set to present the return of iconic BBC One cookery show, Ready Steady Cook. Here Rylan, 31, tells us why he was dying to get involved with the much-loved cooking competition, which is returning after a 10-year break, how he loves rustling up meals at the plush Essex home he shares with hubby, Dan, and why he never takes anything for granted…
Ready Steady Cook, You Are What You Wear, Radio 2… do you ever stop, man?!
No! But if I am being completely honest, I know where I came from. Going back to the X Factor nearly eight years ago now, and to go that full circle is quite strange. I try not to think about what has happened and how quick it’s happened to me. A lot of that is luck – but then at the same time, I do work hard. Sometimes, other things have to take a bullet, as I am at work – but that’s all I know. I never grew up in this world, and I never had the things I have got now. For me, I am in a very lucky position, where I can say ‘No’ now. I’ve been there for a few years, which is lovely.
Do you get stopped more in the street, these days?
Genuinely? I don’t go out! I just like being at home, or being at work. If anyone says, ‘Let’s go out’, I go, ‘No, let’s cook!’ I wish I could do my job and not weirdly have what we all went in for in the first place – fame! I am so lucky to have a nice job.
So how does it feel to take over as presenter of Ready Steady Cook?
Oh, it’s so lovely. Watching Ready Steady Cook was my childhood. To now be on it is amazing.
Was it a ‘no-brainer’ to accept this gig then?
It wasn’t a no-brainer, it was an ‘Are you sure?’ brainer! It was a bit like MI5 for a while, as it is such a big brand and you want to do it justice. For a week, we called it red peppers and then someone went, ‘Oh, that reminds me of Ready Steady Cook,’ and so we had to change
that straight away! For months before it was announced, I used the word ‘padron’, as I like padron peppers!
It’s an iconic programme – are you nervous?
I was a little bit. But I am with any job I do whether it is new, old or an iconic show. We did a test day in a cookery school beforehand. I had not met the five chefs and I thought, ‘Please don’t be hard to work with’. But within 10 minutes, I made a joke and they were laughing! All the nerves went out the window. There is no ego on set. And it all comes down to the food – it’s the chefs who have the hard job!
We gather there are no plastic bags on set…
If we could be 100 per cent plastic-free, we would be. We’re being as sustainable as we can. I like a bottle of Evian – trying to smuggle a bottle of Evian on set was like a drug deal!
A new 10-minute challenge has been introduced. Are you cooking 10-minute meals at home with Dan?
Yes, but definitely without the pressure of 10 minutes! I really did enjoy getting stuck in on set, though. I made toad-in-the-hole last night – Dan was very impressed!
Are you a better chef now, thanks to Ready Steady Cook?
No way can I say I am a chef. Absolutely not! But I would definitely say I am a better cook. Just picking up little things, like adding one more ingredient to turn a dish from a butter chicken to a tikka masala makes a big difference. It saves time and money.
And how about being a less fussy eater now?
I’ve got less fussy. I had never eaten venison, because I think ‘oh, Bambi!’ but they made it into a burger, and I was like, ‘Ah, it doesn’t taste like deer’! I am still to be turned on fish or mushrooms...
So, what’s next for the man that’s done everything?!
I don’t have an answer to that question! When I was on Master Chef, I was quite a wildcard. To then do Radio 2, everyone was like ‘ What?’ Hopefully, it will be the same on Ready Steady Cook. This show is all about the punter. They are so me and you. It’s not, ‘Oh yeah, I have been on 28 shows’. It’s for Jean, watching in her living room!
Ready Steady Cook returns to BBC One on Mon, 2 March at 4.30pm.
‘There is no ego on set. And it all comes down to the food – it’s the chefs who have the hard job!’