Who is Dermot O'Leary? Meet This Morning's newest presenter
When is Dermot O'Leary on This Morning, how did he become famous, and is he married? Here's everything you need to know as Dermot prepares to present Friday's show alongside Alison Hammond.
When his new This Morning presenting pairing with Alison was announced in November 2020, Dermot revealed that he was "deeply thrilled and honoured" to share hosting duties with Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on a regular basis.
Taking over the Friday This Morning reins, Dermot acknowledged "we have huge shoes to fill and we are well aware what a privilege it is to be stepping into them".
Who is Dermot O'Leary and how old is he?
Broadcaster Sean Dermot Fintan O'Leary, Jr, is best known for his roles on ITV's The X Factor and Channel 4's Big Brother's Little Brother. He has also presented Comic Relief, The National TV Awards and Children in Need, and he currently presents BBC Radio 2's weekend breakfast show. During his radio career Dermot has helped to break new artists including Adele and The Feeling.
In 2020, Dermot released the fourth installment in his children's book series inspired by his own cats Toto and Silver: Toto the Ninja Cat and the Mystery Jewel Thief.
Dermot is 47 years old.
When is Dermot O'Leary on This Morning?
Dermot will present This Morning every Friday alongside Alison Hammond from 8 January at 10am.
How did Dermot O'Leary become famous?
Dermot's first career break came when a DJ job at BBC Essex Radio led to an opportunity as a show runner on Channel 4's Light Lunch, hosted by Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.
He then moved into a presenting role on shows including No Balls Allowed, Inside Rugby and The Bigger Breakfast. Dermot's big break came when he was selected as part of the original presenting team for Channel 4's teen hit format T4.
Where is Dermot O'Leary from?
Dermot was born and raised in Colchester, Essex, where he was a student at St Benedict's Catholic College and Colchester Sixth Form College. Dermot went on to study Media and Television with Politics at Middlesex University.
As the son of Irish parents Maria and Seán, Dermot holds dual Irish-British citizenship and has said that one of his happiest memories is of spending time on Wexford's Curracloe beach as a child.
Dermot has an older sister, Nicky, and in 2020 celebrated her birthday on Instagram with a sweet post: "Happy Birthday Nicky. Incredible human, and the best female role model a young brother could hope for. X."
Does Dermot O'Leary have a wife and children?
Dermot married his wife Dee Koppang in 2012 after the X Factor host proposed to the producer and director during a romantic trip to New York in November 2011.
The couple become first-time parents after welcoming a baby boy on June 23 2020, and while presenting on BBC Radio 2 Dermot confirmed his son's name by dedicating an Elbow song to "Kasper with a K".
Norwegian born Dee recently worked as Second Unit Director for the smash Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
Watch Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond every Friday on This Morning from 10am.