“Stop with this ‘putting everyone in a box’ exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter,” he wrote. His post drew mixed reactions from his followers, who took to the comments to share their feelings.

One user wrote: “Well said Rylan, you was brilliant today on This Morning you spoke how we all are thinking and concerned about the numbers arriving illegally here in the UK.”

“Mostly agreeable but its not illegal to come here to seek asylum whether its in a small boat or not,” another pointed out. A third chimed in with: “I knew you’d get a backlash after today’s ‘This Morning’ but well done.”

A fourth added: “Don’t explain yourself, mate. We’ve all had enough. Thank you for being brave enough (can’t believe you even have to be labelled brave to talk about such an issue) to say it live on daytime TV. We’ve had enough.”

However, a fifth was unamused by his statement, writing: “That’s all fine, but that doesn’t excuse you going off on an ignorant, nonsensical rant on daytime TV. I will no longer be listening to you on BBC R2, and I’ll be messaging my thoughts to the directors. I urge others to do the same.”

Speaking on the flagship ITV daytime show earlier in the day, Rylan had said: “This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration — a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life, have come over here from other countries. They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.”

But he blasted the surge in dangerous Channel crossings, adding: “I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel. And when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are saying there’s something wrong, it feels like, ‘Welcome, come on in’. That’s the narrative we’re being fed.”

He continued: “Here’s the iPad. Here’s the NHS in reception of your hotel. Here’s three meals a day. Here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome.”

He went on to contrast this with people already living in Britain who are struggling. He fumed: “There are people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling. They’re homeless. Let’s not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this.”

He stressed he wasn’t simply “getting on a soapbox” but said frustration is mounting because the debate is so polarising. “Let me be honest, everyone’s going to have an opinion about this and you’re going to upset someone,” he said.

His remarks came amid growing tensions over the Government’s handling of asylum accommodation after a court ruling blocked plans to use certain sites. At least 10 councils are preparing to challenge relocation schemes, while ministers insist hotels will be phased out by the end of the Parliament.