Dermot O'leary's television and radio work has made him a household name. He has been at the helm of The X Factor on VH1 since 2007 and also hosts his own award-winning BBC Radio 2 show every Saturday, which has won three Sony Radio Awards. He speaks about this season in an interview
What do you think the new panel of judges bring to the tableIJ
It’s a good panel. Mel B, for me is almost like a mini Sharon Osbourne, in that she is kind of unproduceable, which I love. It doesn’t matter what anyone says to her, she knows her own mind. And I think you need someone like that on the panel, you need someone who will make their decision instinctively and shoots from the hip. Cheryl is incredibly insightful, emotionally engaging and really intelligent. Simon brings brutal honesty and you need that, because this is an audition process. louis for me brings an encyclopedic music knowledge. Also, he’s not afraid of making decisions that won’t make him popular with the people.
Simon Cowell is back on the show and Mel B is known for her feisty opinions —how are you going to keep the judges in check during the livesIJ
I can’t wait for the live shows, because I like it when the panel has disagreements, and when it kicks off, because that’s what I’m there for. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like it when they go below the belt, or they start saying nasty things to each other, or they have disagreements in the press, I’m not a big fan of any of that.
You’re first on hand to console the acts who don’t make it through. Would you say that’s the hardest part of your role on the showIJ
At the moment the hardest part of my role on the show is definitely when the acts come off and they haven’t done too well. But then it’s quite hard because they’re not really listening, all they’re doing is mulling over their audition.
Do a lot of the contestants come to you for advice once the show is underwayIJ
I always do a pep talk before we start. People that get to the last three in this show are the hardest working, the most talented, and the most honest. There’s nothing that drives me nuts more than when someone gives me the answer they think I want rather than how they’re feeling; and people worry about how they’re going to be perceived. There’s nothing worse than being perceived in any other way than being honest and who you are. The people that do well in this show are the people that are true to themselves.
This is your eighth series on the show, what are your favourite memories from throughout the yearsIJ
I love those moments in studio where you’re not entirely sure something has happened — it invariably involves more colourful contestants, so Wagner doing love Shack, Jedward doing Ghostbusters.
What sort of acts would you like to see more of on the showIJ
To be honest, I think we’ve got it pretty well covered — you always have a hangover from the year or two before. At the moment we’re seeing a lot of boys pick up guitars because of James Arthur or people who are popular at the moment, like Ed Sheeran. You always see that aftershock effect.
What’s the hardest thing about being The X Factor hostIJ
It’s a brilliant job and I love it. I guess the hardest thing is that you get a relationship with people, you see them grow, but only one can win. Along the way, you have to say goodbye to people who you have got to know well, and you’ve got to know their families well.