Dermot O’Leary fears for X Factor without Simon and Cheryl

Dermot O’Leary has voiced his fears over the future of the X Factor after the departure of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole.

X Factor host Dermot O’Leary has voiced his fears for the latest offering of the hit show after the departure of popular judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole. The stars are set to appear on the US version of the show, launching this summer.

Speaking about the move, the presenter told the Mirror: ‘We will miss them. We will have to up our game now. It will be a different show.’

Indeed, Simon was paramount to the judging panel. But Dermot doesn’t think he’ll be able to extricate himself completely from the UK show.

‘Simon is so unpredictable. He is so dedicated to the show that I’m sure he’ll turn up in some way and surprise us. I’ll always have my phone with me. I have no doubt he’ll be ringing.’

And with rumours wildly circulating about who they’ll get to replace Simon, he was quick to insist he was irreplaceable.

‘Whoever they bring in, no one can replicate Simon. There will only ever be one real Mr Nasty. He is a force of nature, he’s our boss.’

All concerns aside, the loveable host is still confident it will be a successful show.

‘I signed early but you have faith in the show – it’s the biggest in the country. I’d be the biggest idiot not to do it. It feels like home.’

He also spoke for the first time about losing out on his own US X Factor hopes, despite being the only Brit left in the running.

‘I was gutted I missed out on the US X Factor myself… I just feel incredibly lucky to have my job, as no one’s job is safe. Besides, all that traveling back and forth across the Atlantic would have been tough.’

CELEBRITY NEWS

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES