Dermot O'Leary thinks 'The X Factor' needs to take a break.
Dermot O'Leary
The 42-year-old presenter, who hosted the singing competition for seven years until he was dropped and replaced by Caroline Flack and Olly Murs last year, thinks the show needs to have a 12-month hiatus, or risk losing viewers forever, because the new changes have turned people away.
He explained: "If I was Simon Cowell, I'd take it off air for a year. I'd rest it, and then I'd get back to the rooms. For me, it was always room, arena, boot camp. Also I was really uncomfortable about the Six-Chair Challenge. I don't think it's a particularly nice bit of television."
Dermot believes a lot of viewers turned their back on 'The X Factor' last year and began watching rival show 'Strictly Come Dancing' because it gives off a "warmer" vibe.
He said: "One of the reasons people like 'Strictly Come Dancing' is because 'Strictly' is a very warm show, and I think you've got to keep that in mind."
But, although he may have walked away from his hosting gig on the winter weekend show, the handsome star is adamant he'll always support 'The X Factor', even though he hasn't spoken to big boss Simon, 56, since his departure in 2014.
He added to the RadioTimes: "I don't speak to Simon. But we barely talked when I was doing the show. We have a very professional relationship. We still do. We text from time-to-time. But I care about the show and I want it to do well."
Tagged in Dermot O'Leary Simon Cowell Caroline Flack