Dermot O'Leary Is New X Factor Presenter

Dermot O'Leary Is New X Factor Presenter

Presenter Dermot O'Leary will host the next two series of the X Factor, ITV has confirmed.

Earlier this month it was announced that Kate Thornton, who hosted the show for three years, would be moving on to work on other projects.

Dermot O'Leary, best known for presenting Channel 4's Big Brother's Little Brother, said he was "flattered" to have been offered the job.

Auditions for anyone wanting to take part in the next series begin in May 2007.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Simon and the team on the kind of Saturday night entertainment show I grew up watching," added Dermot O'Leary.

Duncan Gray, ITV's Controller of Entertainment said: "Dermot is a star. He's warm, clever and funny and he was our number one choice for the job. We're thrilled to have him on ITV."

As well as Thornton, Louis Walsh will also be absent from the fourth series, due to start in the summer.

It has not been revealed who will replace the Irish music mogul, but he will continue to manage acts off-screen.

For the first time, contestants aged between 14 and 16 will be allowed to enter the competition.

Leona Lewis, winner of last year's series, reached number one with her single, A Moment Like This.

Runner-up Raymond Quinn recently got to number one in the charts with his debut album, Doing It My Way.

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