Dermot O’Leary

Dermot O'Leary is a British television and radio presenter, broadcast journalist, and author. Born in Colchester, Essex, to Irish parents, he began his broadcasting career in local radio and as a television runner before joining Channel 4's youth strand T4 as a presenter in 1998. He gained widespread recognition hosting the reality television spin-off Big Brother's Little Brother from 2001 to 2007.

O'Leary's career expanded into primetime entertainment when he was selected to host the ITV talent show The X Factor in 2007, a role he held for the majority of the show's run through 2018. Over his television career, he has presented a wide range of programming, including live event coverage for the BAFTAs, the BRIT Awards, and Soccer Aid, as well as NFL sports coverage on Channel 5 and culinary travelogues such as Dermot's Taste of Ireland. Since 2021, he has co-hosted ITV's daytime flagship series This Morning on Fridays alongside Alison Hammond.

In addition to his screen work, O'Leary has maintained a long-standing presence on BBC Radio 2, hosting weekly music programming and documentary specials. He is also a children's book author, best known for creating the Toto the Ninja Cat series, and has served as a patron and ambassador for various charitable organizations, including UNICEF, CAFOD, and the London Irish Centre.