Dermot O’Leary open to returning as host of The X Factor

Dermot O’Leary has admitted that he would be interested in hosting The X Factor amid rumours of the show’s revival.

The 53-year-old was the talent show’s longest-serving presenter, hosting from 2007 until the show was axed in 2018 – save for one series in 2015.

Recently it emerged that creator Simon Cowell is in talks about bringing the show back to ITV in 2027, nine years after it left the schedules, and O’Leary has signalled he could be on board if asked back.

“The world has changed, and the music’s changed, and how we communicate and how we watch things has changed so much… so I’m fascinated as to what they’ll do if they do bring it back,” he told Good Morning Britain.

“It would have to be in many ways a very different show, but you still want the nostalgia of how it was in the first place.”

Pressed on whether he would come back as host, he replied: “Never say never, because it was the most fun to do. It was the greatest show to do.”

The Sun previously reported on The X Factor‘s purported comeback, suggesting that Cowell will bring in new, younger judges designed to appeal to a social media-hungry audience – although he would still be heavily involved in all aspects of the show.

A source told the newspaper at the time: “ITV have a giant gaping hole that needs filling in its entertainment schedule, particularly over weekends when bigger viewing figures are up for grabs.

“They can’t afford another disaster after the car crash of The Neighbourhood, which was colossally expensive and failed terribly.

“Rather than creating more flop formats they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a sure-fire hit, a modern makeover.

“They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes. The plan is for the show’s return to take on a new life and be updated to encompass the social media generation.

“ITV has shown with programmes like Love Island and I’m A Celebrity… that social media is where they can inject massive viewing figures.

“The X Factor was one of the most iconic shows in TV history and created dozens of stars and household names who are still riding high today.

“Executives at Talkback Thames have had discussions with ITV chiefs about a comeback and they are super-keen for it.”

ITV has yet to comment on the reports.