The TV and radio presenter has been flooded with messages of support, including from GMB’s Susanna Reid

Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder(Image: Rob Rinder Instagram)

Rylan Clark has shared his disbelief as he and his pal Rob Rinder were given a major update ahead of the release of their second series together.

Viewers have become big fans of the TV stars as a duo after they were first seen joining forces last year for their own BBC Two show, Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour.

Their first three-part series saw them visit some of Italy’s greatest art treasures in destinations such as Venice, Florence and Rome as they followed in the footsteps of 19th-century romantic poet Lord Byron and other Grand Tourists.

But while they were away for their first series, Rob decided to pull a bit of a prank on his co-star by telling the online world that they had gotten engaged. Criminal barrister-turned-TV star Rob took to social media with a gorgeous snap showing the two stars standing in what appeared to be the Italian countryside.

The views spread for miles while Rylan and Rob stood facing each other under the bright sun beating down on them, both while sporting crisp white shirts and trousers.

“Elton’s set at Glastonbury has inspired us to tie the knot. I [heart] @Rylan,” Rob typed alongside the snap on Twitter, now known as X, as fans rushed to share their congratulations with some believing the nuptials to be true.

But Rylan shot the rumours down and confirmed: “Fake news he’s had a wine.” Rylan later revealed that once home, he had to clarify to a stranger that he and Rob were not tying the knot after they congratulated him in the street.

Rylan and Rob recently filmed their second BBC Two series in India(Image: Rob Rinder X/Twitter)

However, it gave them a clear idea of their popularity as a team and it was back in November that Rylan and Rob returned from their latest trip together after they headed off on an epic adventure to India for a second series with BBC Two.

And it was on Thursday (March 27) the pair were given a boost as it was confirmed they have been nominated for a Bafta TV award ahead of the star-studded ceremony in May.

They have been named in the Factual Entertainment category and go up against In Vogue: The 90s (Vogue Studios, Disney+), Race Across The World (BBC One) and Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out (BBC One) for the gong.

After the news was confirmed, Rylan shared a screenshot of the nominees for the category on X and Instagram and said: “Can’t believe I’m saying this, but we’re nominated for a @BAFTA. Thanks so much for watching [red heart emoji].”

And the support came flooding in. Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid said: “So amazing. And totally deserved. Wonderful programme, gorgeous people.” @lol_mary_c wrote: “So deserved! It was an incredible show.”

@suzanneg1966 commented: “It was a brilliant watch!!! You deserve it.” @me_saraw replied: “The category says it all.. factual entertainment, the both of you were brilliant hears to more.” @to_tired_to_clare added: “You and Rob are great. Good luck.”

Netflix’s dark comedy series Baby Reindeer leads the way at this year’s Bafta TV awards with eight nominations. ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which helped focus attention on the subpostmasters who were wrongly prosecuted during the Horizon IT scandal, has six nominations and is also nominated in the P&O Cruises’ memorable moment category.

Disney+ drama Rivals, which is adapted from a novel by Dame Jilly Cooper, has six nominations and a memorable moment nod, while Apple TV+ series Slow Horses, starring Oscar winner Gary Oldman, also has six nods.

BBC programme The Traitors has a nomination for Claudia Winkleman in the entertainment performance category and has also been nominated in the reality category, alongside Love is Blind, Dragons’ Den and The Jury: Murder Trial.

Up against presenter Claudia in the entertainment performance category is Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which last year saw the duo present the final episode of the 20th series, after it was announced they would be taking a break from the show.

TV presenter Graham Norton is nominated in the category for The Graham Norton Show, Joe Lycett for Late Night Lycett, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett for Rob and Romesh Vs, and Stacey Solomon for BBC’s Sort Your Life Out.