[James]

Dermot O'Leary has been signed up to host The X Factor. The Daily Star and Sun disagree whether this means he is quitting Big Brother's Little Brother. I hope he doesn't quit it.

The O Factor
30/03/07
EXCLUSIVE

X Factor bosses last night sensationally appointed Dermot O’Leary as the show’s new presenter.

He will replace blonde Kate Thornton, who was axed in the recent shake-up.

Cheeky Dermot, 33, has been signed up to present the next TWO series of the ITV1 hit.

X Factor supremo Simon Cowell, 47, was keen to give the hit talent show a fresher look with a major shake-up.

And Big Brother’s Little Brother host Dermot was last night “thrilled” with his big-money job.

He said: “I was very flattered to be offered the job to host such a hugely successful show. I’m really looking forward to working with Simon and the team on the kind of Saturday night entertainment show I grew up watching.”

But fans of Big Brother need not fret – Dermot will still present his C4 show.

The X Factor shake-up began last night with the announcement Dermot had beaten at least five other front-runners for one of the hottest jobs in telly.

Sexy Fearne Cotton, 24, and Cat Deeley, 30, along with Xtra Factor host Ben Shephard, 31, were also battling for the job, it is understood.

Dermot – who has also fronted BBC1’s lottery show 1 vs 100 – will join the X Factor audition tour in May, visiting city centres across the UK.

The show’s fourth series, which starts this summer, will also feature a fourth judge. Big changes on the judging panel follow the axing of Louis Walsh, 54, at the same time as presenter Kate, 34.

Among other changes, contestants will be split into four categories next time around.

They are: 14-to-24 Boys; 14-to-24 Girls; 25 and Overs and Groups.

Last night Duncan Gray, ITV’s Controller of Entertainment, said: “Dermot is a star. He’s warm, clever and funny and he was our number one choice for the job.

“We’re thrilled to have him on ITV and we’re sure he’ll keep The X Factor the nation’s number one entertainment show for many years to come.”

X Factor Executive Producer Richard Holloway added: “With each series we have always strived to make the show bigger and better.

“And this year with Dermot and four judges I’m sure the viewers are in for an ‘xtra’ special series.”

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1474

The £1million X FacDer host

By SARA NATHAN
March 30, 2007

COMMENT ON THIS STORY


BIG Brother star Dermot O’Leary is to be the new host of X Factor after landing a £1million contract.

Dermot, 33, signed a two-year deal to replace Kate Thornton after being wooed by X Factor bosses, including judge Simon Cowell.

He said last night: “I was very flattered to be offered the job of hosting such a hugely successful show.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Simon and the team on the kind of show I grew up watching.”

The former DJ from Essex had been the bookies’ favourite for the job since Kate was sacked three weeks ago, along with judge Louis Walsh.

The move means Dermot will NOT be back to host his Channel 4 spin-off show Big Brother’s Little Brother this summer.

Instead he will be filming with the X Factor team from May.

It comes after he originally said he would REFUSE to take over from friend Kate as he wanted to remain loyal to her.

ITV entertainment boss Duncan Gray said last night: “Dermot is a star, he’s warm, clever and funny and he was our No 1 choice for the job.

“We’re thrilled to have him on ITV and we’re sure he’ll keep X Factor the nation’s No 1 entertainment show for many years to come.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2...140815,00.html

[lily.]

Oh dear.. Dermot is an awful presenter!!! I reckon they will ditch BBLB altogether anyway. Haven't the ratings been a bit disappointing?

[saj]

I think he could still do both but maybe they would have to cut down the number of days bblb is on. Personally, I hope he stays and does bblb and kate thornton should never have been axed

[James]

Russell Brand is not doing BBBM this year either so I don't know what they will do.

[Bells]

It won't be the same without BBBM and BBLB and even if they did continue and didn't have the same presenters I wouldn't like that.
Also, to be honest, I can't really see Dermot presenting The X Factor. That's the trouble when you're known for being on one particular show, people won't associate you with anything else. I still think it could be possible for him to do both, although I doubt he will now.

[Ruth]

I will miss Russell Brand, but to be honest, I will glad to see the back of Dermot. He's a nice guy, but his shows are so boring.

[BigSister]

I cant see Dermott doing the X factor you need somebody who can hold the tension through the results and I cant really see Dermott doing that

[MarkWaldorf]

ITV have apparently confirmed he is.

[•°o.O.Ã$H.O.o°•]

Dermot O'Leary is the new host of The X Factor.

The Big Brother's Little Brother presenter will front the hit show for the next two series, after Kate Thornton and judge Louis Walsh were axed.

O'Leary, 33, said: "I was very flattered to be offered the job to host such a hugely successful show."

The presenter, reported to have landed a £1 million X Factor contract, said: "I'm really looking forward to working with Simon and the team on the kind of Saturday night entertainment show I grew up watching."

ITV's Controller of Entertainment Duncan Gray said: "Dermot is a star.

"He's warm, clever and funny and he was our number one choice for the job.

"We're thrilled to have him on ITV and we're sure he'll keep The X Factor the nation's number one entertainment show for many years to come."

The fourth series, which will feature four judges, kicks-off on ITV1 in the summer. Leona Lewis, winner of last year's series, scored a number one with her single A Moment Like This.

O'Leary will continue to host Channel 4 show Big Brother's Little Brother in the summer.

[Arneldo]

Bye Dermot, if he is going. He lost all enthusiasim for the show a while back. Lets get Alan Carr in BBBM and JLC in for BBLB.

[Cody™]

oh no i loveeee dermot!

[Polka.dot]

yeah i heard wont be the same i dont think but we will see.

[Sam]

In all fairness good for him, if hes been offered a better job he should take it, e4 seem to be neglecting BBLB anyway now, there far more interest in BBBM

[Sophii3x]

TBH I'm glad he's gone.
He bores me to death on BBLB, and I don't watch the XF so he can't have the chance to bore me to death there either!

Looks like Davina is the only presenter left! Hopefuly C4 can get good presenters to work with her.

[Sam]

Originally posted by Sophii3x
TBH I'm glad he's gone.
He bores me to death on BBLB, and I don't watch the XF so he can't have the chance to bore me to death there either!

Looks like Davina is the only presenter left! Hopefuly C4 can get good presenters to work with her.

2 Down only one to go lol, im joking, i love davina and its a shame dermots gone, but he can be really boring at times i agree, the last series of bblb just seemed to be a prewater shed of bbbm, with the table where they discussed everything.

[Sophii3x]

Originally posted by snig

2 Down only one to go lol, Im joking, i love davina and its a shame dermots gone, but he can be really boring at times i agree, the last series of bblb just seemed to be a prewater shed of bbbm, with the table where they discussed everything.

hehe. It's not BB without Davina!
I renember Dermot making jibes towards Russel and BBBM, he was just jelous!

[Bubs]

I don't see why he can't do both tbh I mean both are on during different times X Factor usaully starts after BB has finished.

I think they should maybe cut the amount BBLB is on anyway maybe to just the one hour show on Sundays or something

[Siouxsie]

i like drmont but think kate thornton is a great presenter

[andybigbro]

My dad told me about this but he said he is still going to do Big Brother Aswell

[Stentionhouse]

No confirmation, but apparently Russell has agreed to do BB8 and CBB6, so maybe Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins could step into Dermot's shoes (if he goes, as surely he must after the laughable drivel that has been the past three or four series of BBLB).

[Princess]

Why does everyone want him to go Mabye its the Irish in me that loves him I hope he can do both!

[andybigbro]

i hate russell i like Dermot though

[Romantic Old Bird]

Dermot is a legend!

I've met him at BB finals and he is anything but boring. He is small but perfectly formed - in fact if I were a few years younger I'd have ripped his clothes off on the spot.

BBLB has often been far more entertaining than the main show.

I don't think he's lost interest in BB at all and I am thrilled his career is going from strength to strength.

Way to go Dermie!

[Kristen]

I really don't like Dermot and think he is overrated

[Stentionhouse]

I'm Irish and I can't stick Dermot (on BBLB - like him otherwise) but I love Russell - the swine