Rylan Clark defends furious rant in deleted tweet after it sparks 'massive debate'

Rylan Clark got riled up after a pedestrian walking over a zebra crossing failed to acknowledge and thank him for waiting while in his car.

He took to X (also known as Twitter) to slam the walker after finding himself "stuck in traffic and annoyed". He exclaimed: "I know it's the law and that pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings... BUT SAY THANK YOU OR POP UR HAND UP. Rude pr**ks..."

The TV presenter then realised his tweet had vanished, which caused a public debate as confused fans struggled to understand what had happened. Rylan insisted he wasn't responsible for the deletion when he returned to the app hours later, writing: "Dunno how I deleted my tweet from earlier was looking at ur replies." (sic)

He then repeated it for those who hadn't seen it first time round. "Didn't realise would spark some massive debate," he continued.

"This hasn't got anything to do with the law, who should do what, I've just been brought up to say thanks when a car slows down at a zebra crossing. Also, thanking a bus driver when you get off a bus. Things like that."

He then relived the moment he'd found himself on the panel of the comedy show Room 101, hosted by Frank Skinner.

The star, who'd appeared alongside Catherine Tate and Nigel Havers, wrote: "When I was on Room101 this is something I put in as my subject.

"As a pedestrian, I'd always thank a driver stopping so I can cross. Whether it's my right of way or not."

He added: "For people tweeting 'Would you as a driver thank a pedestrian for walking along the pavement and not in the road?!?' - bit different babe."

Reacting to fans who'd swiped: "Are you annoyed they didn't recognise you?", he played along and quipped: "Completely heartbroken."

Then he reiterated: "Just manners. Enjoy your day. Look both ways."

Many agreed with Rylan, reasoning that thanking the driver was merely the "polite thing to do".

However, one follower took offence at the "preachy" tweet, declaring: "You just come across as a really preachy, petty millionaire celebrity. A person who has rose to the top with basically zero intellect and next to no talent. Maybe just not focus on criticising us plebs for very little things."

Rylan replied: "What do I preach about? Zebra crossing etiquette... mate, I'm the LEAST preachy. As for no talent and zero intellect, made me a millionaire. It's not a big deal, just winds me up."