Rylan Clark denies deleting controversial tweet and hits back at his critics amid heated debate

TV star Rylan Clark caused a stir on social media on Wednesday when he made comment about road safety etiquette - only to cause furore when his X Post disappeared

Rylan Clark has denied deleting a post on X that sparked furious debate as he lashed out about pedestrian etiquette.

The 35-year-old TV host provoked an online debate when he took to the social media app to seemingly discuss a real-time encounter with a pedestrian while he was out driving. He complained that a person walking over a zebra crossing failed to thank him after he stopped his car.

The original post stated: "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... (Stuck in traffic and annoyed)." The post sparked a debate among his followers - but then the discussion escalated to a furious level when the post in question abruptly disappeared.

But now Rylan has insisted he didn't delete his original post - and remarked he was enjoying reading the discussion he had created. Returning to X again on Wednesday, the star explained the he was overwhelmed to realise the fact his post had been 'deleted' caused even greater furore.

He wrote: "Dunno how I deleted my tweet from earlier was looking at ur replies. Read like this '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... (Stuck in traffic and annoyed). Didn’t realise would spark some massive debate. 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 explained further: "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. For people tweeting 'would you as a driver thank a pedestrian for walking along the pavement and not in the road?!?' - bit different babe." He then joked: "'Are you annoyed they didn’t recognise you'- completely heartbroken. Just manners. Enjoy your day. Look both ways."

The new update created even more conversation, with many agreeing with him. One follower posted in solidarity with the star, writing: "Agree with you...just basic manners! I feel the same when driving and you pull over to allow someone coming the other way to pass... and they don't say thank you!" And another wrote: "I don’t drive but I always say thanks when walking across a zebra crossing - just thought it was the polite thing to do!"

But one follower lashed out at the star, writing: "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?" Refusing to take the insult lying down, 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."

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