Dermot O'Leary wants to try his hand at acting.

Dermot O'Leary

Dermot O'Leary

The 'X Factor' host has admitted acting was his first love as a child and Dermot would relish the opportunity to star in a period drama.

He shared: "I don't think I could ever see myself going to Hollywood to do movie roles but I wouldn't mind giving acting a crack.

"It was my first love when I was a kid. I don't think I could do much, I don't have a particularly wide range.

"I'm obsessed with dramas so it would be some sort of period drama scenario.

"I know TV isn't a big shopping list ... it's something I'd love to do but I'm well aware of my own limitations."

Meanwhile, Dermot has also bemoaned ITV's decision to axe 'The Xtra Factor', which has previously served as a career launchpad for the likes of Caroline Flack.

He told The Sun newspaper: "It's a shame for telly, it was a great place to launch new talent.

"It's the same when I was doing 'Big Brother's Little Brother 'and T4, there aren't that many nursery slopes any more. They go on reality shows or have YouTube profiles. I hope that's not the future. I'm a purist I suppose. It's not the way I like to see the world."

But Dermot still believes 'The X Factor' could become one of the longest-serving British TV shows in history, rivalling Cilla Black's 'Blind Date', which ran for 18 years.

Dermot, who has hosted eight series of the programme so far, said: "I've signed for a few years. I really enjoyed it this year. It was a lovely, warm, fun year."

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