Dermot O’Learey | Presenting
Dermot started his career as a DJ for BBC Essex, before becoming a runner on the television show Light Lunch (1997). His presenting career started at Channel 4 as one of the original presenters for T4, and then for E4, presenting Big Brother’s Little Brother (2001-2008).
In 2007, it was announced that he would be the new presenter of The X Factor, a role he took on for over a decade, including its spinoffs The X Factor: Celebrity (2019), and The X Factor: The Band (2019).
After a short spell at Channel 4, Dermot joined the BBC, presenting programmes such as Rock Profile (2009), Question Time: First Time Voters (2010), The Getaway Car (2016), and has even guest-presented The One Show (2016).
Below: The absolute classic with Dermot and Dame Edna:
Other programmes Dermot has presented include This Morning (2010-present), Saving Lives at Sea (2024), Reel Stories (2018-23), The Pet Show (2021), and The Big Breakfast (1999). He has participated in shows such as Celebrity Chase (2023), Celebrity Catchphrase (2023), and The Great Celebrity Bake Off For SU2C (2024).
He has also been a familiar voice on the radio, working on London’s indie rock station XFM for a year before moving to BBC Radio 2 in 2004. Whilst at Radio 2 he has hosted his own Saturday afternoon show, Dermot’s Saturday Club, the Saturday morning breakfast show, and has often sat in to cover Zoe Ball’s breakfast show.
Dermot has also been a popular live presenter, hosting the National Television Awards (2010-19) for ITV, Soccer Aid (2010-present), Comic Relief (2005; 2011-13), Children in Need (2015), the BAFTAs (2021), and the BRIT Awards (2017).
Dermot O’Leary | Writer
On top of his presenting roles, Dermot is also a successful author, having published a number of children’s books, including:
– Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape (2017)
– Toto the Ninja Cat and the Incredible Cheese Heist (2018)
– Toto the Ninja Cat and the Superstar Catastrophe (2019)
– Toto the Ninja Cat and the Mystery Jewel Thief (2020)
– Toto the Ninja Cat and the Legend of the Wild Cat (2021)
– Wings of Glory (2023)
He also published a musical memoir entitled The Soundtrack to My Life in 2014.
Dermot O’Leary | Charity Work
Dermot is a prominent charity supporter, having been involved with charities including the Young People’s Trust for the Environment, children’s film festival CineMagic, Make Poverty History, male cancer awareness campaign Everyman, and Barnardo’s.
He has completed the London Marathon several times, participated in a 24-hour dance to raise money for Comic Relief in 2015, and along with stars including Jeremy Kyle, Bill Bailey, Richard Osman, and Levi Roots went commando in 2014 to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Dermot O’Leary | Speaking and Event Hosting
Dermot is a popular choice for an after-dinner speaker, event host, or presenter. He has worked for private, corporate, and charitable organisations, and has hosted events including Party in the Park, The Clothes Show Live, The Empire Film Awards, The Heat Crusaid Auction, the British Independent Film Awards, and the Oxfam Make Trade Fair Concert.
