Dermot O’Leary has announced he’s leaving The X Factor.
The hugely popular presenter, who has fronted the ITV talent show for nearly a decade and has become a household name across the country, has revealed he’s stepping back as he plans to move on to other things.
He posted a series of messages on Twitter confirming the news: ‘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. You’re about to be the conductor on the most brilliant, runaway train in showbiz. Good luck you’ll love it!’
An ITV spokesman said: ‘Dermot’s been a fantastic host of The X Factor for the past eight series and we’re sorry to see him go. We wish him all the very best for the future and hope that he’ll be back on ITV screens soon.’
The 41-year-old has been a mainstay on Simon Cowell’s popular singing competition since 2007.
He sensationally replaced the show’s previous presenter Kate Thornton, who had hosted since it began in 2004, after she was sacked by the show’s creator and lead judge, Simon.
At the time, Dermot – who was then a little-known presenter who hosted Big Brother spin-off show Big Brother’s Little Brother and also for his work on T4 – was only signed up for two series.
But he has stayed on for eight, and has become one of the nation’s best-loved TV presenters.
Amid all the changes in the judging panel, seeing other big-name stars come and go, the fun-loving and good-humoured star has always been a stable addition to The X Factor.
Fans were quick to react to the news with outspoken TV personality Katie Hopkins writing: ‘B***** hell. No more Dermot OOOOOHHHHH Leary on #XFactor’.
A devastated fan said: ‘No more Dermot O’Leary on the xfactor?! No point in watching’.
Announcement: As well as revealing the sad news in an official statement, Dermot also took to his Twitter page on Friday afternoon to dole out the news
Household name: Over the years, Dermot has become a favourite in households across the UK
Classy gent: He revealed his departure from the show in good spirits, wishing good luck to his sucessor… who has yet to be announced
One fan pointed out it has been a week of bad news as they wrote: ‘First Zayn and now Dermot? What’s happening to the world??’
While another wrote: ‘So many things are ending in 1 week! Zayn quits 1D, Dermot leaves X factor, Clackson sacked, Downton Abbey finished! I blame the eclipse!’
A furious fan tweeted: ‘@TheXFactor why on earth would you guys get rid of dermot, he was one of the best things on this show’.
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini appeared to share her sadness about Dermot’s departure when a fan asked: ‘Cheryl did you hear the sad news’.
The X Factor judge simply replied: ‘yeah’ followed by a crying emoticon and a sad face.
Dermot said previously: ‘We normally sit down February/March but Simon wants to change stuff. So I need to see what changes he is going to make before a) I know if he wants me and b) whether I’m suitable for those changes.’
He added: ‘If he [Simon] turns around and says, “Half your gig is a voiceover”, then I will have to think about it. If he lets me do my thing then of course I would do it.’
There would be no hard feelings between Dermot and boss Simon Cowell, as the presenter has previously praised his ‘fair’ leader.
Dermot said: ‘He always lets me get on with my job, which is the biggest compliment he can give me.
‘This idea that he sits across everything and says, “I want this to happen, and this to happen” is nonsense.
‘He trusts people. He doesn’t like “yes men” so if you’re in a meeting with him and you disagree with everything he says, you need to bring something else or you won’t get invited to that meeting again. He’s a good boss, he’s a fair boss.
Cheryl Fernandez versini in tears as Dermont O'leary quits the xfactor
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