Dermot opens up about leaving BBLB - Dec 12 2007
Dermot O’Leary has spoken out about quitting Big Brother’s Little Brother, admitting it "feels a bit weird".

The TV presenter - who left BB after seven years so he can concentrate on his hosting duties for X Factor - told Heat magazine it will be strange watching someone else front the show.

"It does feel like the end of a big thing for me," he said. "I had total freedom on that show to shape it in my own image and I had such a great time. It’ll be really weird watching someone else doing it."

He added: "I can’t imagine who they’ll get to do it. Whoever it is, I’ve said I’d be delighted to help out in any way."

Dermot admitted juggling both shows became "physically impossible".

"When I did X Factor and BBLB in the summer, I felt like I was about to die," he revealed.

"Now, obviously I’m not doing a job where I have to go down the mines or anything, so I don’t want to sound too dramatic. But I really didn’t feel like I could do both shows justice, or be in two places at the same time."

Dermot quits Big Brother - Nov 28 2007
Dermot O’Leary has quit Big Brother after seven years so he can concentrate on his hosting duties for X Factor.

The 34-year-old, who hosted E4’s Big Brother’s Little Brother, will bow out after fronting Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack on E4 in January, which sees stars taking over the role of Big Brother.

He said: "It is with great regret that my time on Big Brother will come to an end... I’ve had the time of my life working on Big Brother’s Little Brother, from our broom cupboard days to the all singing all dancing show we make now."

Dermot explained that the strain of working on Big Brother and X Factor at the same time last summer had been too much.

"This summer’s work commitment of BBLB and the X Factor has proven to me that to do both shows is impractical if not impossible. I want to thank Channel 4 and the Big Brother family for all their support."

Head of E4 Angela Jain said: "BBLB has been Dermot’s little baby from the start. We will miss him and all the laughter and professionalism he has brought with him."

Celebrity Hijack will see a bunch of young artists, athletes and musicians enter the house to compete for a £50,000 prize fund.

Dermot shock over Sharon shoe stunt - Nov 2 2007
Dermot O’Leary has revealed he knew Sharon Osbourne was serious about walking out of X Factor’s first live show, because she took her shoes off.

And the 34-year-old presenter dismissed suggestions her outburst was merely "pantomime", saying: "We love that, that’s what we need on the show."

He added: "I had no idea what was happening, it was my first live show and not only did she walk off, she took her shoes off. That’s when I realised. I think when a woman takes her shoes off that means she means business."

Dermot, who took over from Kate Thornton to host the ITV talent show, said he was enjoying watching the acts develop.

"It’s weird because you watch people on the Thursday doing their soundchecks and then on the Friday they get a bit better, so the people you don’t think nail it first time round get better and better all the time."

And he backed the bookies current favourite and Louis Walsh’s contestant Niki Evans.