Rylan Clark flooded with messages as he sends '12 year' update

Rylan Clark has been flooded with messages as he marked what should be considered a major milestone what it comes to his career. The TV and radio star took to social media to recognise that it had officially been 12 years since he left The X Factor.

But there was a time when we may have seen Rylan much, much sooner that his appearance on the ITV singing show, headed up by Simon Cowell. The self-confessed Big Brother superfan has previously claimed he was 'booted off' the hit reality show when he was 18 - before even making it into the famous house

But that was just a setback in Rylan's plans to make it. He looked for other ways to make his name on TV and in 2010 he reached the final of Sky Living modelling series, Signed by Katie Price. But it wasn't until 2012 that he really hit the big time with a memorable turn on The X Factor where he was mentored by Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

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He ended up finishing the ITV singing competition, after THAT memorable crying scene, in fifth place and soon his Big Brother opportunity came around again and he won Celebrity Big Brother 11 in 2013. Later that year, he presented Big Brother's Bit on the Side, This Morning and The Xtra Factor and the rest, as they say is history.

Rylan, 35, is now a BBC Radio 2 presenter, hosting his own Saturday afternoon show for the station, among the presenters who covers the annual Eurovision Song Contest for the broadcaster and has a string of other TV projects under his belt - including dating show and travel series.

On Monday (November 25), Rylan reflected on the anniversary of his X Factor departure. Sharing a selfie from the car as he was chauffeured around, the Essex-born star said: "12 years ago today I left The X Factor as a quarter finalist. Still going. Cheers everyone, appreciate it x."

Loose Women star Ruth Langsford was quick to respond, writing: "Of COURSE you are!!" Doctor Who's Russell T Davies replied: "Amazing!" West End star Marisha Wallace commented: "Oh the places you will go." Socialite Lizzie Cundy added: "So proud of you my darling friend …amazing."

And Rylan's followers were also quick to respond with support. @charl0ttesayshi said: "Proud of you!! Here’s to the next 12 & beyond." @anniejarrett28 commented: "You’ve had the last laugh! National treasure." @jackiedorrianjagdambe wrote: "Oh my word is that really 12 years ago!!! You are amazing @rylan." @janebailey4818 added: "Well deserved, Rylan. I love seeing you on TV and listening to your radio show."