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The Life of Rylan
*The Sunday Times Number One Bestseller*Well hark at you, stumbling upon my autobiography. Bet you wouldn't have put money on that three years ago, eh?! Please don't stress yourself out too much, though, it's actually socially acceptable nowadays that you're interested. Firstly I'd like to emphasise that I have WRITTEN THIS BOOK MYSELF, so be assured you're getting the TOOTH, the WHOLE TOOTH and NOTHING BUT THE TOOTH! (Which was my original choice of title, but babe, we're so over that.) This book documents my story, year by year, from my humble beginnings growing up in the East End of London, becoming one of the nation's most talked-about people overnight to finally moving up the spectrum from guilty pleasure, and getting nearer to national treasure.It will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly you'll discover who I really am. If it doesn't do any of those things you're not legally entitled to a refund - just clearing that up ;-).I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have enjoyed writing it. This book has been like therapy, and LORD was I in need. Enjoy!
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2016
82 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 25, 2016
I am a huge fan of Rylan Clark and this is without doubt one of the funniest and best autobiographies I've ever read (I know, I say that about them ALL, but this really was). Reading it is like Rylan is reading it to you himself and I loved how honest he was throughout the whole thing. I am a huge believer in fate but even I couldn't believe just how much fate played a part in Rylan's story. I won't say too much except read the book to find out. It's very open and honest and we see a side to Rylan we don't often see when he's his confident, flamboyant self on his many different TV shows and I enjoyed seeing that side of him.
January 3, 2021
Would definitely recommend this book on audio, narrated by Rylan, it's done in a way that makes it feel like you're having a chat over a cuppa. No big revelations but an interesting insight into life inside reality shows (my favourite kind of telly).
January 15, 2023
Learnt that Rylan was gay, good for him!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I HATE reading autobiographies, but I LOVE listening to them, especially when they’re narrated by the author! Rylan Clark’s 2016 autobiography tells the story from his childhood to his X-Factor, Big Brother and This Morning success. His energy is purely infectious and this was a fun, light hearted read, even when Rylan discusses incredibly difficult ‘lows’ in his life. Rylan is a true storyteller who just deserves so much from life. I really enjoyed this.
August 29, 2016
Always admired Rylan, so the intention to read his autobiography was pretty high. Totally worth my time, humerus and as a reality television fanatic, getting the back stories of the various shows he partook in was interesting!
September 26, 2016
It gives an insight into how Rylan has become a well known face on our screens. There isn't any major revelations. It's good to see that he has written it himself. A bit too much swearing for my liking.
October 5, 2024
Listened on audiobook and really enjoyed! The writing isn't amazing but I didn't care as I enjoyed Rylan telling his stories. Proper cracked me up at times too. 3.5 stars
September 11, 2024
Made me giggle.
Can’t believe it was back in 2012 that Rylan was on the X factor. I’ve known Rylan more for his presenting but had to YouTube his X factor time after reading this. Definitely want to read his newest book 📖
Can’t believe it was back in 2012 that Rylan was on the X factor. I’ve known Rylan more for his presenting but had to YouTube his X factor time after reading this. Definitely want to read his newest book 📖
June 7, 2020
Narrated by Rylan a modern Autobiography
April 2, 2025
I love Rylan and his narration was so smooth it was as if he wasn't reading it but just telling the story. I need a second book from him now.
February 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this, it was a nice easy read, almost as if you’re having a convo with Rylan.
August 27, 2016
This review was posted on my blog here - http://www.isthisreallife.co.uk/2016/...
Ah I love a good autobiography, don't you? I love that you never really know what to expect from them, even if you’re already a fan of the person. I've read so many and sometimes my opinion on people has been totally flipped on its head of what I thought, in good ways and in bad. I really like Rylan and was a bit worried reading this in case I felt different after and you know what I do, I feel totally different I went from liking him, always watching his shows and thinking he was really funny and now I love him and I'm pretty sure we should probably be BFF's for life, haha!
No but seriously, I enjoyed this book so much and felt like I came away with such a good understanding of who Rylan is, which to me is the whole point in reading a book from someone, right? It's a chance to sort of get inside their head and see how they see the world and what they think about their life rather than reading it through the eyes of journalists or magazines trying to guess what is going on.
The book is divided into chapters that go in chronological order in life events rather than age. So it starts off him being young, then school, work, X factor etc rather than focus on his life at every single age. I liked this and felt like so much of the important stuff was covered that you would want to read about from him. The book ends in nearly present day, it ends around about when he got married so you really do feel like you get such an up to date view of his life.
One thing I really want to mention is the way it is written. It says all over the book that Rylan wrote it himself. Aside from the actual contents of the book I think this is one of my favourite things about it. Like I've said I've read so many of these autobiographies over the years of so many different types of people and the difference when I read ones clearly written by the person is so remarkable and so much more enjoyable. I feel like you can actually hear them saying the words, you know what I mean? It really blows my mind why everyone doesn't do this. I mean I get it, maybe they will not all be written like Shakespeare but isn't that the point? Isn’t that what makes these books so much more relatable and authentic, if they are written in a way that the person would talk to you in real life, in the way that they would convey a subject to you? Isn't that the point that you want to hear about their life, from them, in their own actual words? I just want to give a massive shout out to Rylan for doing that and making his book honestly such a genuinely lovely read.
There were so many times reading this that I just thought to myself, me and Rylan would get on like an absolute house on fire. Maybe it’s because we are similar in age, maybe it’s because people who grow up in the generation we did will always have similar interests but either way reading about his love for Big Brother and the Spice Girls and b*witched were just like big flashbacks to my own childhood. I also was that person making up dance routines to Wannabe in the playground at School (FYI I was Baby Spice always, my name being Emma so I was a shoo-in) and staying up late at night to watch Craig win the first ever season on Big Brother.
Every autobiography I read always teaches me something, whether it be something good or bad about the world or life and this one was no different. I felt I came away having my faith in fate strengthened. Reading about Rylan's life and all that he has went through, the ups and downs and seeing where he is now, it’s unavoidable when reading his book to not notice how many things in his life just seemed to be destined to happen. I won't put any spoilers but it really is just so beautiful when you read it and realise that what's really genuinely for you will not go by you if it’s meant to be in your life and that is what I took away from this book so thank you Rylan for reminding me of that just when I needed it!
It's a bit different doing reviews of autobiographies on here because at the end of the day if you’re not a fan of Rylan then you won't like this book but if you are and like me are always giggling at him on BBBOTS or This Morning then I really think you will so enjoy this book. If like me you have watched Big Brother every year and you always root for the good guy/girl to win and always want the kind ones to win over the well the not so kind ones then this really is a story of the good guy winning and sometimes there is just nothing nicer to read than that....
*I was sent this book for consideration for review on my blog from the publisher
Ah I love a good autobiography, don't you? I love that you never really know what to expect from them, even if you’re already a fan of the person. I've read so many and sometimes my opinion on people has been totally flipped on its head of what I thought, in good ways and in bad. I really like Rylan and was a bit worried reading this in case I felt different after and you know what I do, I feel totally different I went from liking him, always watching his shows and thinking he was really funny and now I love him and I'm pretty sure we should probably be BFF's for life, haha!
No but seriously, I enjoyed this book so much and felt like I came away with such a good understanding of who Rylan is, which to me is the whole point in reading a book from someone, right? It's a chance to sort of get inside their head and see how they see the world and what they think about their life rather than reading it through the eyes of journalists or magazines trying to guess what is going on.
The book is divided into chapters that go in chronological order in life events rather than age. So it starts off him being young, then school, work, X factor etc rather than focus on his life at every single age. I liked this and felt like so much of the important stuff was covered that you would want to read about from him. The book ends in nearly present day, it ends around about when he got married so you really do feel like you get such an up to date view of his life.
One thing I really want to mention is the way it is written. It says all over the book that Rylan wrote it himself. Aside from the actual contents of the book I think this is one of my favourite things about it. Like I've said I've read so many of these autobiographies over the years of so many different types of people and the difference when I read ones clearly written by the person is so remarkable and so much more enjoyable. I feel like you can actually hear them saying the words, you know what I mean? It really blows my mind why everyone doesn't do this. I mean I get it, maybe they will not all be written like Shakespeare but isn't that the point? Isn’t that what makes these books so much more relatable and authentic, if they are written in a way that the person would talk to you in real life, in the way that they would convey a subject to you? Isn't that the point that you want to hear about their life, from them, in their own actual words? I just want to give a massive shout out to Rylan for doing that and making his book honestly such a genuinely lovely read.
There were so many times reading this that I just thought to myself, me and Rylan would get on like an absolute house on fire. Maybe it’s because we are similar in age, maybe it’s because people who grow up in the generation we did will always have similar interests but either way reading about his love for Big Brother and the Spice Girls and b*witched were just like big flashbacks to my own childhood. I also was that person making up dance routines to Wannabe in the playground at School (FYI I was Baby Spice always, my name being Emma so I was a shoo-in) and staying up late at night to watch Craig win the first ever season on Big Brother.
Every autobiography I read always teaches me something, whether it be something good or bad about the world or life and this one was no different. I felt I came away having my faith in fate strengthened. Reading about Rylan's life and all that he has went through, the ups and downs and seeing where he is now, it’s unavoidable when reading his book to not notice how many things in his life just seemed to be destined to happen. I won't put any spoilers but it really is just so beautiful when you read it and realise that what's really genuinely for you will not go by you if it’s meant to be in your life and that is what I took away from this book so thank you Rylan for reminding me of that just when I needed it!
It's a bit different doing reviews of autobiographies on here because at the end of the day if you’re not a fan of Rylan then you won't like this book but if you are and like me are always giggling at him on BBBOTS or This Morning then I really think you will so enjoy this book. If like me you have watched Big Brother every year and you always root for the good guy/girl to win and always want the kind ones to win over the well the not so kind ones then this really is a story of the good guy winning and sometimes there is just nothing nicer to read than that....
*I was sent this book for consideration for review on my blog from the publisher
July 10, 2016
I say this every time I read a celebrity autobiography, but genuinely, THIS ONE IS MY NEW FAVOURITE!
Whatever your opinion on Rylan, you can't deny the boy has done good! From his beginnings, he has always been destined for fame and after cruelly having a place in the Big Brother house in 2007 snatched away from him at the last minute, he still managed to go on and achieve his dream and more!
I've been a massive fan of Rylan ever since I saw him compete on Signed By Katie Price. I thought he was hilarious and was such a breath of fresh air! To this day I've supported every career move he's done; from life as an X Factor contestant to winning Celebrity Big Brother to presenting Big Brother's Bit On The Side to writing this book, and I couldn't be prouder of the journey he's been on.
The chances of Rylan reading this review is very slim, but if he ever does - Rylan, I bloody love ya! You truly deserve every success and this book was such a joy to read! I'm so sad I've finished it, but I'm confident you'll have a second instalment in a few years as your career is only going to go from strength to strength!
5/5 & a place on my Favourites shelf!
Whatever your opinion on Rylan, you can't deny the boy has done good! From his beginnings, he has always been destined for fame and after cruelly having a place in the Big Brother house in 2007 snatched away from him at the last minute, he still managed to go on and achieve his dream and more!
I've been a massive fan of Rylan ever since I saw him compete on Signed By Katie Price. I thought he was hilarious and was such a breath of fresh air! To this day I've supported every career move he's done; from life as an X Factor contestant to winning Celebrity Big Brother to presenting Big Brother's Bit On The Side to writing this book, and I couldn't be prouder of the journey he's been on.
The chances of Rylan reading this review is very slim, but if he ever does - Rylan, I bloody love ya! You truly deserve every success and this book was such a joy to read! I'm so sad I've finished it, but I'm confident you'll have a second instalment in a few years as your career is only going to go from strength to strength!
5/5 & a place on my Favourites shelf!
October 3, 2017
Whatever you thought you knew about Rylan before, this book will completely contradict everything. In this funny, heartfelt and emotional account, you will discover a sensitive, kind and honest person who has been badly maligned by the media. Although i was not a big fan before, i have certainly developed a fondness for Rylan, who come across as intelligent and, oftentimes, articulate. I listened to him reading it himself on audible and i would definitely recommend trying it out this way.
Although the amount of swearing may be off putting for some readers, it didn't bother me and i found myself laughing out loud one minute and comiserating with him the next.
Leave your preconceptions at the prologue and give this a shot - you won't regret it!
Although the amount of swearing may be off putting for some readers, it didn't bother me and i found myself laughing out loud one minute and comiserating with him the next.
Leave your preconceptions at the prologue and give this a shot - you won't regret it!
January 3, 2017
Listen, I am not ashamed to say that I love Rylan! He's funny and comes off as super genuine on anything I've watched him on. The same can be said of his book. I read a couple of parts of it out loud to my husband because they had me laughing. I do think he got a bit whiney on parts of it about people letting him down, but I probably would have been the same in his position. A quick, fun read for any Rylan fan out there. If you aren't already a fan, I don't think this book will turn you into one. It reads like Rylan is speaking it to you...that is to say, it's not incredibly eloquent and it won't win awards for its fabulous writing style. But it's fun!
December 15, 2016
I got this book as a gift, not something I would pick up myself as I'm not an autobiography reader really, but if I'm given a book I have to read it. I liked this guy before and applauded him on his journey in television always thought he'd done well and things right. Reading about him only solidified that opinion and actually it's written quite well, really funny and I couldn't put it down. Go on Rylan!
March 7, 2017
Inspirational read
A true story written by a real person about a boy who had a dream and never gave up on that dream until he achieved it.
We have watched you grow up in front of us on our screens however it was even better to read your own words. Fans will love it of course but maybe the "haters" should read it then perhaps they wouldn't hate. If not " haters gonna hate" Well done Rylan !!!!
A true story written by a real person about a boy who had a dream and never gave up on that dream until he achieved it.
We have watched you grow up in front of us on our screens however it was even better to read your own words. Fans will love it of course but maybe the "haters" should read it then perhaps they wouldn't hate. If not " haters gonna hate" Well done Rylan !!!!
July 30, 2016
Really enjoyed Rylan's book and learnt a lot about him that I didn't know. The abuse he received was very unfair and although he may not have been the best singer on The X-Factor, he is a hugely talented TV presenter and comes across as an intelligent, thoughtful man who really deserves credit for working hard and doing really well. A nice easy read, well written. 8.5 out of 10
August 30, 2016
Loved it
I am a big fan of Rylan since he appeared on Celeb Big Brother. Since winning that he has gone from strength to strength I was excited to read about his life. The book did not disappoint at all. Started as a joke act on XFactor to now hosting the XtraFactor for this current year. Absolutely love him.
I am a big fan of Rylan since he appeared on Celeb Big Brother. Since winning that he has gone from strength to strength I was excited to read about his life. The book did not disappoint at all. Started as a joke act on XFactor to now hosting the XtraFactor for this current year. Absolutely love him.
September 17, 2018
'It will make you laugh, cry and most importantly you'll discover who I am'
How true this was! I can honestly say I laughed out loud at parts, had a lump in my throat at others and discovered the real Rylan. I have always loved watching Rylan on TV and he doesn't disappoint in this book.
Loved it!!
How true this was! I can honestly say I laughed out loud at parts, had a lump in my throat at others and discovered the real Rylan. I have always loved watching Rylan on TV and he doesn't disappoint in this book.
Loved it!!
December 6, 2018
Always been a fan of Rylan and couldn’t wait to read this: it didn’t disappoint. I could hear Rylan’s voice as I was reading and his humour and self deprecation comes across clearly in the book.
With real laugh out loud moments and many giggles along the way, it’s a great read.
With real laugh out loud moments and many giggles along the way, it’s a great read.
May 16, 2020
A good insight and I felt an honestly written life of Rylan Clark-Neal. It was amusing in places and I do remember him auditioning for the X-Factor with his blonde hair! The only thing that spoilt it for me was the bad language
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars
March 4, 2017
Got this as an audiobook on my kindle, i really enjoyed it.. i didnt want it to end
I would 100% recommend this book!
I would 100% recommend this book!
March 21, 2017
Nice read
I enjoyed the book.
Nice easy read and intresting. I learnt a lot about Rylan - Ross
4 out of 5
I enjoyed the book.
Nice easy read and intresting. I learnt a lot about Rylan - Ross
4 out of 5
May 18, 2017
One of the most positive and engaging books I've ever come across, although I could have done without the swearing, hence my rating is 4.5/5, Read brilliantly by Rylan himself.
July 13, 2017
really like Rylan. his easy style of writing is just as he talks.
August 30, 2017
Not going to lie, I was dubious about this. But ended up loving it. Really funny and makes you realise what an incredible life story he has had up until now. Very lucky but good on him!
September 21, 2017
Fab an fun
I listened to him reading this as an audio book. Its very rylan . funny and full of stories. About his life.
I listened to him reading this as an audio book. Its very rylan . funny and full of stories. About his life.
October 5, 2017
3.5
Interesting to follow Rylan's journey through X factor and Big Brother and then on to his career as a presenter. Funny and very true to himself.
Interesting to follow Rylan's journey through X factor and Big Brother and then on to his career as a presenter. Funny and very true to himself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews