We were very angry for a very long time when it was announced that Dermot O'Leary had missed out on the US X Factor presenting job. That man is The X Factor. We’re pretty sure the thousands of people queuing up to audition are only there to get one of his legendary cuddles and a little high-five.
But cuddling up to Eamonn and Ruth on the This Morning sofa earlier today, he set the record straight about heading Stateside.
“I wanted to get the job. I didn't get the job. And that's about it,” he said. “The thing is, there's two million people unemployed in the country; I'm not going to start bleating about the fact, it's not the way I was brought up."
Well said, Derm. We’re just glad he’s still going to be flying the flag for us Brits when the UK X Factor starts later this year.
"The British show starts so early that you've got to sign very early, so I signed February to start in April and the minute I signed that I thought I've probably counted myself out of the job in America,” Dermot explained.
And, showing that all ex-T4 presenters will forever stick together, he’s got no beef with Steve Jones, who did get the job. “They went with an American and that didn't work out, and Steve went out and got it. Fair play to him!"
Derm also said he thought Simon has made some great decisions with the judging panel, particularly with keeps-getting-hotter-with-age Gary Barlow.
"Gary is extraordinary. He is a national treasure – 1.7million people are going to see the Take That tour! And so everyone is really hanging on every word that he says. He's direct and quite cutting.’
Lovely, cuddly, Gazza Barlow is direct and cutting? We can’t wait to see this. Do you think he can be the new Mr Nasty?