Dermot O’Leary reveals why he didn’t ‘stick the knife in’ the X Factor after being sacked by Simon Cowell
The presenter is returning to the ITV show after a year' break
DERMOT O’Leary has revealed that he didn’t stick the knife into the X Factor after being sacked by Simon Cowell because there are some things ‘you don’t air in public’.
Speaking about his decision to keep a dignified silence as he makes his return this series, he said: “I didn’t because that would have been disloyal. I had a great eight years on the show and walked away with no real bitterness.”
However he admitted that there were a few things he would have liked to discuss - hinting that there might still be a few unresolved issues.
“There were a few conversations that I would have liked to have had which we didn’t have, but that was just regret, not bitterness. I worked on a show I loved for eight years and entertained people for eight years,” he said.
“I don’t want to sound like I am some sort of beauty queen but I am not wired that way, it’s not how I have been brought up. Even if you have certain issues then you don’t air that in public.”
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The 43-year-old was asked to return to the show by music mogul who admitted he had made a mistake getting rid of the long-running host – and offered him £8million for a four year deal.
Despite the big money deal and rare apology from Cowell, Dermot admitted he had reservations about returning to the show.
He said: “To start with, I wasn’t sure. I felt like I had drawn a line in the sand. Then I gave myself some time to think about it and I realised I had missed the live shows, I missed the team and I missed being part of a show that’s part of the national conversation and culture.
“Like any job, if you do it for eight years it becomes ingrained in you. I love making a live Saturday night entertainment show and there aren’t many around. I certainly still felt an emotional attachment to it.”
Dermot is not the only one to return to the show this year - Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Schzeringer will all also be back on our screens.
When asked what it was like having Louis back on the judging panel, Simon said: “Years ago, a friend of mine moved to Australia and their dog had to move in with another family.
“Anyway, the friend came back a year later and that reunion between the friend and his dog is a little bit like me and Louis. We kind of missed each other and if he had a tail he would wag it!”’
And Louis didn’t really disagree, saying about his return: “It’s amazing to be back on The X Factor after a year’s break especially now I am back with my favourite judges ever.”
The X Factor returns on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August at 8pm on ITV
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