Dermot O’Leary has confirmed he will return to host this year’s X Factor celebrity and all-star specials.
The 46-year-old presenter has hosted the X Factor since 2007, and briefly quit for one year in 2015 when he was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.
This year, the X Factor is mixing up the formula by moving away from the traditional format in favour of celebrity and all-star specials – with the latter comprised of former contestants.
It was unknown whether Dermot would be returning to host the specials, but he’s since confirmed his spinning introductions will be back in full force.
Asked by Metro.co.uk if he’ll be back for the specials, Dermot said: ‘Back this year, yes. That’s as much as I know.’
The format change didn’t come as a surprise to Dermot though, who simply sees it as part of a list of changes the show has made over the years.
‘Nothing surprises me particularly because the show never rests on its laurels,’ Dermot said. ‘There’s always an evolution every year.
‘As someone that’s been there a very long time, it takes up a great part of my year, and I have a great fondness for it. I love it. You see so many changes down the years, you’re never really surprised.
‘The chats I have had with the team [about the format change], everyone’s pretty excited about it.’
It won’t be the first time a celebrity version has made its way to screens, with X Factor: Battle Of The Stars, featuring Gillian McKeith and Chris Moyles, having aired back in 2006.
The X Factor specials are set to kick off on ITV later this year.
MORE: X Factor star brands Victoria Derbyshire ‘out of her depth’ in rant
MORE: X Factor’s Lucy Spraggan and wife undergo fertility treatment as they foster 12 children
