[Matt]

Dermot wants to spank Simon

DERMOT O’Leary is threatening to spank Simon Cowell with a big stick.

The new X Factor host says if Mr Nasty starts to misbehave, he will have no choice other than to dish out a good caning.

Bet Louis Walsh would lend a helping hand.

Dermot joked: "With a big stick, I think corporal punishment is the only way to go."

He also told how much Simon's seal of approval means to auditionees.

"Some people turn up who’ll be over the moon to get three nos if they get a yes out of Simon," the 34-year-old said.

He added: "It’s the daddy syndrome, everyone wants daddy to love them."

This year Simon and Sharon Osbourne will be joined by Kylie Minogue's little sister Dannii, as well as Louis Walsh, who returns after controversially being dropped from the programme.

And the Big Brother veteran was full of praise for his co-stars: "Sharon you just want to cuddle from the minute you see her - I’d heard about the Osbourne effect but never experienced it and it is extraordinary."

"Simon is a very down to earth guy, Dannii is a far stronger woman than people give her credit for, and well, Louis is Louis!”

On why he was picked to front the Saturday night show, Dermot said: "Simon told me, 'We want you to do this job because you like people'.

"I’d never really thought of it like that, but the more I do the job the more I realise I can genuinely talk the hind legs off a donkey."

This year, The X Factor will feature a brand new category that opens the competition up to performers aged 14 and over.

Contestants will be split into Boys (14-24s), Girls (14-24s), 25 and Overs and Groups - all competing for a £1million recording contract.

X Factor begins on Saturday 18 August on ITV1.

From TheSun.co.uk
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