Dermot O'Leary shows true colours over working on The X Factor with 13-word statement
Dermot O'Leary is now best-known for presenting This Morning alongside Alison Hammond, but prior to joining the daytime TV show, he was famed for hosting The X Factor. The 51 year old fronted the talent show from 2007 until it came to an end in 2018, with the exception on 2015.
He initially took over the role from Kate Thornton in 2007, but in 2015 Dermot announced he would be stepping down as it was "time to move on". Olly Murs and Caroline Flack then fronted The X Factor for one series, before Dermot returned to the helm in 2016. The programme came off air in 2018.
His statement regarding his initial departure in 2015 read: "Good afternoon. After eight wonderful years on The X Factor it's time for me to move on. I'd like to thank ITV, Simon, The X Factor family and particularly the viewers, all of whom have been a big part of my life for so long. I'd like to wish the team all the best for the future, especially whoever takes over from me."
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Following his exit, Dermot shared this true thoughts about The X Factor, admitting he hadn't been "bothered" about searching for the next singing sensation. However, he insisted he had no negative things to say about the show.
Dermot told The Guardian in 2015: “But I’ll never say anything bad about it because it bought me my house."
He continued: "And I did enjoy it – the trust they put in me. I just wanted to make a good TV show, I wasn’t bothered if we found the next superstar.”
The X Factor undeniably helped to boost Dermot's profile and he quickly became a household name thanks to the show. He has hosted other ITV shows including Soccer Aid, The National Television Awards, The BRIT Awards and The Nightly Show.
In 2020, it was revealed that Dermot and co-star Alison would be permanently hosting This Morning on Friday mornings, following Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes' exit from the daytime show. Dermot and Alison made their debut in January 2021 and quickly became popular with This Morning viewers, having remained on the show ever since.
Away from ITV, Dermot has fronted BBC shows such as Comic Relief, Rock Profile, Dermot Meets..., Children in Need and The One Show. He also joined BBC Radio 2 back in 2004 and currently hosts the Saturday morning breakfast show, which has proven to be immensely popular with radio listeners.
