We’d just about got our heads around the fact that Dermot O’Leary won’t be appearing on our screens every Saturday night on The X Factor this year. Then Craig Revel-Horwood dropped a big old sequinned cat amongst the telly pigeons by saying he’d love to see him on rival show* Strictly.* After all, Caroline Flack made the switch last year.
So, when we caught up with him at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards 2015 on a rare showbiz night out, we had to grill him on when we’ll be seeing those tight trousers back on screen.
So, what’s the plan, now you’re not doing The X Factor?
I’ve had a lot of nice offers. Mostly presenting work – the majority aren’t right, but some of them are, so I’m going through them. I’m a live host, I like interviewing people, but I’m doing a few other things as well. Not doing The X Factor has made me step out of my comfort zone. I did Murder In Successville [for BBC3], which I really enjoyed, then I did* QI*, which was fun.
How about Strictly?
I won’t be going on Strictly. They have two very good hosts, as it has shown tonight [Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly won Best Presenters], and it’s a brilliant show. I still have The X Factor in my blood – I love the show, so I’d never be a competitor on Strictly.
Who do you think should be on the judging panel?
I don’t know. I was like this after Big Brother – when I quit, I quit. A lot of my friends quit The X Factor, which is one of the reasons why I left.
What do you think of the stories about Nick Grimshaw being a judge?
I think Nick would be a good judge.
Would you be one of his celeb mates at Judges’ Houses?
I wouldn’t turn down Judges’ Houses. I know what it takes to be a winner. I can handle a bit of JH.
Read the full interview in this week’s heat magazine – OUT NOW!