Dermot O’Leary gives update on whether The X Factor could return in 2021

Dermot O’Leary has given an update on whether The X Factor could return in 2021 – and it’s not the news that fans might have been hoping for.

The future of the series is looking more uncertain than ever, after Simon Cowell rested the series back in February 2020. There were different versions of the show in 2019, with X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band, however neither achieved ratings that the series used to.

The pandemic has thrown the future of the programme into further uncertainty, and Dermot is very doubtful that the show will return in 2021.

‘I’d be very surprised, well, I pretty much know it’s not going to come back this year,’ Dermot told the Radio Times.

Speaking about the show taking a break in 2019 and 2020, Dermot went on to say: ‘I think when we had a rest, we thought that was probably the right decision. What shape it comes back in, I don’t know.

‘I’m in two minds, because half of me thinks there’s a reason why we rested it, because we were doing the same thing but then again, there is a real sense of simplicity to that show I love, which is great singers and great characters. It’s a celebration of British eccentricity! Let’s just get them out there and see where we end up.’

Dermot has presented The X Factor since 2007, when he took over from Kate Thornton. He was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack for the 2015, but returned the following year.

During that time, Dermot says the show has adapted with the times and changed along with the music industry.

‘I think what’s interesting about the show is that it very much evolved to always mirror how people make music. So, when we first started, I know that the judges found it quite uncomfortable, particularly for Simon, when people would come on and go, “Tell me who you want me to be and I’ll do it,” and you won’t get a career if you do that.’

Fans will have to wait to discover if and when the show will return to our screens.

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