Rylan Clark-Neal has responded to criticism after making his debut on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two. 

The former X Factor star has joined the companion series to share hosting duties with Zoe Ball, making his first appearance alongside her on Monday evening. 

However, not everyone saw him as a welcome addition to the series, with some suggesting that the show did not require an extra presenter.

Rylan has since hit back, explaining that he has only joined It Takes Two to help lighten Zoe’s workload, as she is still hosting her Radio 2 Breakfast Show every weekday.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Just to clear something up. Zoe does NOT need a co host. We are splitting duties as she has her breakfast show. Here for everyone’s opinion. Thanks for the nicer comments.”

While the pair appeared together on Monday’s episode, going forward Rylan will host every Monday and Tuesday, while Zoe presents on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

They will then come together to co-host an hour-long episode every Friday. 

Zoe took over from Claudia Winkleman as the host of It Takes Two in 2011, having previously appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2005.

Her workload has increased considerably since last year’s It Takes Two, after she succeed Chris Evans as the host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show in January.

Meanwhile, Rylan has also bagged a host of TV jobs in recent months, as he is currently fronting a reboot of gameshow Supermarket Sweep and has also been confirmed to present a revival of Ready Steady Cook.  

It Takes Two is currently airing every weeknight for the next fortnight at 5.15pm on BBC One, before moving back to its long-term home on BBC Two at 6.30pm for the rest of the series.