Rylan Clark ‘smitten’ with new boyfriend

Rylan Clark’s new boyfriend Kennedy Bates has dedicated his life to supporting charitable causes and children with special needs through his funfair business. 

The sixth-generation showman is a director at Billy Bates & Sons Fun Fair – which regularly hosts SEN friendly session for guests with special educational needs, particularly those with autism or sensory processing issues.

Kennedy – who at 47 is 11 years older than Rylan – also works to raise funds for local charities and businesses through the funfair, which has been in his family for more than 100 years. 

It is easy to see why the handsome funfair boss, with his mop of curly dark hair, twinkling azure blue-green eyes, bright white teeth to match Rylan’s smile, and outgoing, sunny personality, caught the divorced star’s eye. 

Social media posts show Kennedy rubbing shoulders with celebrities at the fairground, that this year is working to raise funds for Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

With Rylan, 36, admitting that the pair had already discussed having children together – a source told Daily Mail that the presenter is ‘smitten’ with the philanthropist. 

Rylan first revealed his romance with Kennedy on interviewing Louis Theroux on his How To Be In Love podcast, revealing the pair had been discussing expanding their family. 

When asked if there was something they had been thinking about, Rylan replied: ‘Yeah I want kids. He wants kids.’ 

Kennedy’s paternal and caring side are evident on his business’ social media page. 

And he states: ‘Where would we be without the hard work, love and lessons learned from our fathers and grandfathers.’

In a page on his website, entitled Legacy he says: The Bates family have been proudly passing down the knowledge and experience of the fairground industry for seven generations.’

‘During this time many things have changes and many unique stories have been shared.

‘From war time stores of fairs that operated in complete darkness, to my great grandfather, (the late George Bates) and his ‘pony driven’ carousel, which had no motors, and just a horse that pulled the carousel around as it trotted along on the inside of the ride.’

Several photographs show Kennedy enjoying sweet moments with children who have special needs and promoting ‘enjoyable and accessible’ days out at the fair. 

This year, all of the revenue that the fairground generates on TikTok is being donated to Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

Kennedy explained on a Just Giving page to raise funds for the hospice: ‘For six generations the Bates family have support the local community and helped to raise tens of thousands for numerous charities. 

‘Our business is centred around entertaining and bring joy and excitement to all ages but with an emphasis on children and families. 

‘This is why we feel we have a strong connection and huge appreciation for the work of Rainbows children’s Hospice.

For the whole of 2025, 100 percent of all of our revenue raised from TikTok (via live gifts and views) will be put into this Just Giving account. 

‘We will also be holding fundraising challenges and events throughout the year. Let’s smash this and hopefully raise over 10K for an amazing charity!

‘Thank you for reading and thank you for your support. With love, Kennedy & the BB Team.’

Kennedy’s charitable side seems to have been passed down by his grandfather  Walter Bates, who was one of the first Showmen in the country to introduce Free Days at the fair. 

These days allowed underprivileged children to enjoy free rides and candy floss. 

Kennedy – who started working at his family’s fair aged 11 selling balloons – shared on the fairground’s website: ‘At The Emily Forty School (for children with special needs) they named a room The Walter Bates Room’ as a thank you for the years of supporting the school and providing this free experience for the children.

‘My Dad (Billy) and my Uncle Walter (sat either side of my Grandfather) shared and supported this desire to give back to the community and to this day we continue this legacy.

‘As a kid I always remember my Dad supporting many good causes around Leicestershire, he helped to raise money for countless Lord Mayor’s Appeals and was often dragging me along to help him sell raffle tickets or some form of fundraising.’

The family has been operating fun fairs and amusements for over 100 years in and around Leicester.

In recent years the business has expanded, and supplies attractions at some of the country’s biggest outdoor festivals, film and TV work, corporate parties and various councils for town centre events.

Rylan spoke out about their romance recently on his How To Be In Love podcast, which has documented his mission to find love. 

He revealed he had been ‘blatant’ about the romance, heading on multiple public dates with the man but ‘nobody noticed’.

Rylan also admitted that his new boyfriend is the first man he’s introduced to his family since his divorce. 

The X Factor star was married to his ex-husband Dan Neal for six years before they divorced in 2021, with Rylan admitting he cheated on him.

Rylan said: ‘At this time I’m very happy. Recently I have gotten into a relationship and it’s great and it feels very different to anything I’ve had before, which is a good sign to me.

‘It’s the first person I’ve met in four years that I’ve introduced to my family. I’m happy. I’ve not done probably what I should-slash-did do – which is not really go to restaurants, not really do this and want to keep it on the quiet – I’ve done the opposite.

‘I’ve been so blatant about it no one’s noticed, which I’m sort of a little bit cocky at and I’m going to own. 

‘But I thought I’m not going to… just because of my job and i don’t want people finding out, I’m not going to miss out on this part.

‘I’m loving what I’ve got at the minute and I want to keep it that way.’

Rylan first shared he was in a new relationship on BBC Radio 2 show, after playing a clip from his podcast interview with Louis. 

As the clip came to an end, Lottie cheekily asked him if there was ‘something else’ that was mentioned, sparking a cheeky exchange where Rylan jokingly brushed off his co-host’s questions, before confirming he was indeed seeing someone.

He said: ‘I might have said that I’m… it feels weird saying it on the radio!’ before admitting he’d ‘kept it a secret for so long,’ but he was indeed ‘seeing someone.’

Lottie added that she and her colleagues had met Rylan’s new partner and thought he was ‘lovely,’ with the former X Factor star adding he is ‘happy’ and ‘very content’ in his new relationship.

Rylan also joked that sharing the romance would bring an end to speculation that he was dating his longtime pal Robert Rinder.

The This Morning star is said to have been quietly dating funfair employee Kennedy for several months and the pair have been ‘inseparable’ over the summer.  

‘This new man has certainly put a smile back on Rylan’s face and they have been enjoyed spending lots of time together,’ a source said.

‘Rylan’s family and friends have all met him and they’ve been attending lots of gigs together this summer, including Oasis. 

The insider told The Sun on Sunday: ‘They’re inseparable, they make a lovely couple.’