"I think Niki has probably been the person so far that’s sort of had the stand out performances. I think that’s what most people think," he added.

Dermot replaces Kate on X Factor - April 1 2007
Dermot O’Leary is the new host of the X Factor, it was announced.

The Big Brother’s Little Brother presenter will front the hit show for the next two series, after Kate Thornton and judge Louis Walsh were axed.

The 33-year-old said: "I was very flattered to be offered the job to host such a hugely successful show."

The hunky presenter, reported to have landed a £1 million X Factor contract, said: "I’m really looking forward to working with Simon and the team on the kind of Saturday night entertainment show I grew up watching."

ITV’s Controller of Entertainment Duncan Gray said: "Dermot is a star. He’s warm, clever and funny and he was our number one choice for the job.

"We’re thrilled to have him on ITV and we’re sure he’ll keep the X Factor the nation’s number one entertainment show for many years to come."

The fourth series, which will feature four judges, kicks off on ITV1 in the summer.

Leona Lewis, winner of last year’s series, scored a No 1 with her single A Moment Like This.

Dermot will continue to host Channel 4 show Big Brother’s Little Brother in the summer.

Dermot set to host BBC One’s new National Lottery show - Aug 25 2006
Big Brother’s over for another year - and there’s another change for Dermot O’Leary, who’s apparently set to ho BBC One’s new National Lottery show. The presenter - best known for fronting Big Brother spin-off shows, Little Brother and Big Brain - will front lottery quiz show 1 vs 100 from this autumn.

According to the Daily Mirror, the 33-year-old switched to the BBC from Channel 4 because he was fed up with waiting for new projects.

"It’s fair to say Dermot has been eclipsed on BB by the fever surrounding Russell Brand, who presents the other spin-off show, Big Mouth," an insider said.

"He wants to spread his wings so he’s really excited to be doing the lottery. It’s a fresh challenge."

The programme will see one contestant battling to beat 100 others, and is already being billed as television’s "most dramatic game show". Dermot isn’t the first BB star to leave his Channel 4 roots. Show host Davina McCall also went to BBC One earlier this year.

Stylish host - Feb 05
Dermot takes on Elle Style Awards. Charming, fun, famous and, of course, stylish - those are the qualities a host at the Elle Style Awards has to have, so who better to call in than BBLB host Dermot O’Leary? TV’s favourite reality show host helped in handing out awards to some of the world’s loveliest ladies (and men) including Kylie, Cat Deeley and Cate Blanchett.
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Dermot TOTP? - May 04
Dermot O’Leary is being touted as the next face of Top of the Pops.

The cheeky Channel 4 presenter is being touted as a replacement for Tim Kash, the ’saviour’ of the long running music show who has been axed after just six months in the role. Those in the know say that it is likely that Dermot and Fearne Cotton will replace Kash.

Dermot to Radio 2 - April 04
Sexy bod Dermot O’Leary has signed up to present a show on pensioners favourite station Radio 2.