[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