Dermot O'Leary
{{short description|Irish-British television presenter (born 1973)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dermot O'Leary
| image = Dermot O'Leary 20241205.jpg
| alt =
| caption = O'Leary at Waterstones, London in 2024
| birth_name = Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|05|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = Colchester, Essex, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Broadcaster
| years_active = 1998–present
| employer = {{hlist|ITV|BBC}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|Dee Koppang|September 2012}}
| children = 1
}}
Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary Jr. (born 24 May 1973) is a British-Irish broadcaster. He presented the television talent show The X Factor on ITV from 2007 until its final series in 2018, with the exception of 2015. Since 2021, O'Leary has presented ITV's This Morning on Fridays, school holidays and bank holidays alongside Alison Hammond, a role expanded to the remainder of the week on a rotation with the departures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby in the summer and autumn of 2023.
O'Leary began his radio career working as a disc jockey at Essex Radio. From 2001 to 2003, he was a presenter for London's indie rock station XFM. O'Leary joined BBC Radio 2 in 2004 and currently presents the Saturday morning breakfast show and since April 2022 Alternative Sounds of the 90s.{{cite web |title=Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O'Leary |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0byy165 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=6 February 2025}}
Early life
Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary Jr.{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 2 - Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O'Leary, There's More To Ireland Than This |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0020r7h |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} was born on 24 May 1973 in Colchester, Essex,{{cite book |last1=Simpson |first1=Neil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzitDwAAQBAJ&dq=dermot+o+leary+1973&pg=PT6 |title=Presenting Dermot O'Leary - the Biography |date=14 October 2010 |publisher=Kings Road |isbn=978-1-78418-466-7}} the son of Irish parents Maria and Seán both from Co. Wexford.{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/watch/dermot-o'leary's-taste-of-ireland/10a5800/10a5800a0001|title=Dermot O'Leary's Taste of Ireland|date=23 September 2024|website=ITV|access-date=24 September 2024}} He attended primary school in nearby Marks Tey and later joined St Benedict's Catholic College in Colchester. His complacent attitude at school caused him to fail all but two of his GCSEs.{{cite news|author=Sims, Fiona|title=Fishy Fishy: Dermot O'Leary's restaurant is the reel deal|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article6480736.ece|work=The Times|access-date=29 June 2009|location=London|date=12 June 2009|archive-date=3 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403210459/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}} Following that, O'Leary re-took his school-leaving qualifications. This allowed him to later start his A-Level courses at Colchester Sixth Form College. He eventually studied for a degree in Media Studies with Politics at Middlesex University.{{cite news|title=Colchester's Dermot O'Leary marries on Friday|url=http://www.essexcountystandard.co.uk/news/9927883.Colchester_s_Dermot_O___Leary_marries_on_Friday/|publisher=Essex County Standard|date=13 September 2012|access-date=18 March 2013|archive-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109212049/http://www.essexcountystandard.co.uk/news/9927883.Colchester_s_Dermot_O___Leary_marries_on_Friday/|url-status=live}}
Growing up, he was a member of The Boys' Brigade Christian youth organisation.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLLJQHjmJHb1qTGu9nMgZQ3O44k0yAF-hG&v=0abhIEz_qvE |title=Dermot discusses his dancing - Live Week 5 - The Xtra Factor 2013 |publisher=YouTube |date=11 November 2013 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=2 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502074430/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0abhIEz_qvE&list=PLLJQHjmJHb1qTGu9nMgZQ3O44k0yAF-hG |url-status=live }} When he was in his late teens, he played American football for the Colchester Gladiators and the Ipswich Cardinals, where he wore the number 32.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/borntowin/hi/the_mentors/newsid_3201000/3201517.stm|title=Meet Dermot O'Leary|date=2 September 2003|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/10-things-about/a81554/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-dermot-oleary/
Career
=Early career=
O'Leary started as a disc jockey at BBC Essex,{{Cite web|url=https://dermotoleary.net/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326071913/http://www.dermotoleary.net/biography.shtml|url-status=dead|title=JUTAWANBET: Sensasi Slot Gacor Dari Spin Pertama Hingga Mega Jackpot!|archivedate=26 March 2010|website=dermotoleary.net}} based in Southend-on-Sea, before becoming a runner on the TV show Light Lunch with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins and then a presenter at Channel 4 as part of the original presenting line-up of the channel's T4 strand, before moving on to present Big Brother's Little Brother (the companion show to Big Brother) on E4 from 2001 onwards. Also in 2001, O'Leary appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.{{cite episode|series=Lily Savage's Blankety Blank|network=ITV|airdate=25 February 2001}} In 2004, O'Leary hosted the TV show Shattered.
=ITV=
On 29 March 2007, it was announced that O'Leary would replace Kate Thornton as the new host of ITV's The X Factor for at least two series. On 27 March 2015, O'Leary confirmed that he had quit The X Factor after eight years to pursue other projects. Via his Twitter account, he said:
{{blockquote|Good afternoon. After eight wonderful years on The X Factor it's time for me to move on. I'd like to thank ITV, Simon, The X Factor family and particularly the viewers, all of whom have been a big part of my life for so long. I'd like to wish the team all the best for the future, especially whoever takes over from me.}}
O'Leary was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack, who previously co-hosted The Xtra Factor, the behind-the-scenes companion programme, together in 2011 and 2012.{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-x-factor/news/a788461/its-finally-official-dermot-oleary-is-back-as-x-factor-host-to-replace-olly-murs-and-caroline-flack/|title=Dermot makes dramatic return to host X Factor|date=28 March 2016|website=Digital Spy|access-date=22 October 2016|archive-date=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110155653/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a788461/its-finally-official-dermot-oleary-makes-dramatic-return-to-host-the-x-factor-a-year-after-he-quit/|url-status=live}}
On 29 March 2016, O'Leary returned to The X Factor as a presenter, replacing Murs and Flack, for the show's 13th series. In a statement, he said: {{blockquote|"I'm very flattered to be asked back to The X Factor, and am currently dusting off my dancing shoes. There is nothing more exciting than hosting live TV on a Saturday night. The show is naturally very close to my heart, after having hosted it for 8 years. I’m really looking forward to it, and excited to be back."{{cite news|title=Dermot O'Leary returns 'home' to The X Factor|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35912648|access-date=29 March 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=29 March 2016|location=United Kingdom|archive-date=29 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329053347/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35912648|url-status=live}}}}
From 2010 to 2019, O'Leary presented the National Television Awards for ITV. Since 2010, O'Leary has hosted Soccer Aid on ITV, a celebrity football match in aid of the charity Unicef. In 2011, O'Leary hosted the Saturday night entertainment show The Marriage Ref on ITV. In September 2013, O'Leary hosted BRITs Icon: Elton John, a one-off music celebration for ITV.
In 2013, O'Leary presented the ITV campaign From the Heart, which encouraged viewers to consider organ donation. In January 2014, O'Leary filled in for Phillip Schofield for a week when he guest presented This Morning opposite Holly Willoughby.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a536145/dermot-oleary-to-guest-present-this-morning-in-january.html |title=Dermot O'Leary to guest present This Morning in January - TV News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=10 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010045730/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a536145/dermot-oleary-to-guest-present-this-morning-in-january.html |url-status=live }}
In 2017, O'Leary co-presented the 37th BRIT Awards with Emma Willis. In March 2017, O'Leary guest-presented nine episodes of The Nightly Show on ITV.
In November 2020, it was announced that Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford had been dropped from their Friday slot on This Morning after 14 years. Alison Hammond and O'Leary were announced to takeover the slot later that month.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eamonn-holmes-and-ruth-langsford-23010533.amp|title=Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford dropped from This Morning slot and replaced by Alison and Dermot|work=Daily Mirror|date=14 November 2020|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125055310/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eamonn-holmes-and-ruth-langsford-23010533.amp|url-status=live}} They presented their first show in January 2021.
=Channel 4=
On 27 November 2007, it was announced that Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack was to be O'Leary's last series of Big Brother. After seven years, he made his final Big Brother appearance on 28 January 2008.
In March 2007, O'Leary signed a year-long contract with Channel 4 to appear on Hollyoaks.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} However, this was shortened after a series of disputes on set. Jim Rowe, a series writer at the time, said, "He couldn't follow even the simplest commands. It goes to show how vastly different presenting is to acting". O'Leary hasn't acted since.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} In 2009, O'Leary presented an episode of The Paul O'Grady Show, standing in for Paul O'Grady.
In March 2014, O'Leary made a return to Channel 4, where he presented the Live From Space season for three consecutive nights.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a542736/dermot-oleary-fronts-live-from-space-season-for-channel-4.html |title=Dermot O'Leary fronts Live from Space Season for Channel 4 - TV News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=9 January 2014 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=2 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902074503/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a542736/dermot-oleary-fronts-live-from-space-season-for-channel-4.html |url-status=live }}
=BBC=
O'Leary was a presenter for Comic Relief in 2005, 2011 and 2013. He also presented Sport Relief in 2012. In August 2006, O'Leary signed a deal to present the game show 1 vs. 100, which aired on Saturday nights on BBC One in combination with The National Lottery Draws.
In May 2009, O'Leary became the presenter of Matt Lucas and David Walliams's show Rock Profile on BBC.[http://www.funnyordie.co.uk/videos/f6bb86d6d0/rock-profile-episode-one-peter-andre-and-jordan-pt-1 Rock Profile:Peter Andre & Jordan Pt.1] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729033635/http://www.funnyordie.co.uk/videos/f6bb86d6d0/rock-profile-episode-one-peter-andre-and-jordan-pt-1 |date=29 July 2010 }} Funny or Die
In March 2010, O'Leary hosted a spin-off edition of the BBC One show Question Time aimed at first time voters, which aired on BBC Three.[http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0212/olearyd.html O'Leary to host episode of Question Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327182350/http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0212/olearyd.html |date=27 March 2010 }}. RTÉ Intertainment. 12 February 2010. He also presented Dermot Meets..., a series which saw him interview the likes of David Cameron, Gordon Brown, and Nick Clegg.
In November 2015, O'Leary replaced Terry Wogan on Children in Need due to Wogan's cancer-related ill health, from which he died a couple of months later.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34803750|title=Dermot O'Leary replaces Sir Terry Wogan on Children in Need|work=BBC News|date=13 November 2015|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115045450/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34803750|url-status=live}}
In 2016, O'Leary presented the BBC One Saturday night game show The Getaway Car. The series was filmed in November 2015 and began airing in January 2016.{{cite web|url=http://lostintv.com/tv-show?id=666|title=Lost in TV - free tickets to your FAVOURITE television shows|work=lostintv.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907040431/http://lostintv.com/tv-show?id=666|archive-date=7 September 2015}} He has also guest-presented two episodes of The One Show with Alex Jones.
=Radio=
O'Leary joined London's indie rock station XFM in 2001, firstly presenting weekday mid-mornings from 10{{nbsp}}am to 1{{nbsp}}pm, before moving to a Saturday evening show in mid-2002, where he remained until late 2003.
O'Leary joined BBC Radio 2 in September 2004, presenting a Saturday afternoon show titled Dermot's Saturday Club, which ran from 2{{nbsp}}pm to 4{{nbsp}}pm. Following a number of changes to the length and timing of O'Leary's programme, due in part to the arrival of Chris Evans to Radio 2 and his role as presenter of The X Factor, his show was broadcast between 3{{nbsp}}pm and 6{{nbsp}}pm from April 2009{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} until its end on 21 January 2017. It focused on new music and had featured live sessions. O'Leary also hosted Radio 2's coverage of the BRIT Awards and South by Southwest. He won Sony Gold Awards for Music Programme of the Year in 2008, 2010, and 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/dermot/ |title=BBC Radio 2 - Dermot O'Leary |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=23 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023163951/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/dermot/ |url-status=live }}
Since March 2017, O'Leary has presented the Saturday morning breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 between 8{{nbsp}}am and 10{{nbsp}}am, taking over the slot from Brian Matthew and Sounds of the 60s, which moved to an earlier time of 6am with Tony Blackburn as presenter.{{cite web |author=Lewis Carnie, Head of Radio 2 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/radio-2-schedule-changes |title=Radio 2 announces schedule changes - Media Centre |publisher=BBC |date=10 February 2017 |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027234907/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/radio-2-schedule-changes |url-status=live }} Since April 2022 he has presented the weekly show Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O'Leary.{{cite web |title=Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O'Leary |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001622l |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=6 February 2025}}
=Other work=
In March 2009, O'Leary introduced Michael Jackson to an audience of fans at The O2 in what turned out to be Jackson's final public appearance before his death.Youngs, Ian (5 March 2009) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7925388.stm 'Final curtain call' for Jackson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930101743/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7925388.stm |date=30 September 2009 }} BBC News Online[https://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/43249 "Michael Jackson announces O2 Arena London gigs - and retirement?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070516/http://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/43249 |date=4 March 2016 }} NME 5 March 2009
In 2015, he was named one of GQ's 50 Best Dressed Men in Britain.{{cite news|title=50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015 |url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2015-01/05/best-dressed-men-2015/ |work=GQ |date=5 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107145128/http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2015-01/05/best-dressed-men-2015 |archive-date=7 January 2015 }}
He has voiced television advertisements for Amazon Prime. In 2017, he released a children's book called Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape.{{cite book |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toto-Ninja-Great-Snake-Escape-ebook/dp/B06XWGWG4S |title=Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape: Book 1 eBook: Dermot O'Leary, Nick East: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store |date=21 September 2017 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904011322/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toto-Ninja-Great-Snake-Escape-ebook/dp/B06XWGWG4S |url-status=live }} In 2024, he released another children's book called Wings of Glory.{{cite book|title=Wings of Glory|id={{ASIN|1444961632|country=uk}} }}
Charity work
O'Leary opened The Rodillian Academy in 2001. He is one of nine presidents of Better Planet Education{{cite web |title=Our Team - Presidents, Trustees and Staff - Better Planet Education |url=https://betterplaneteducation.org.uk/team#Presidents |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704141230/http://ypte.org.uk/team#Presidents |archive-date=4 July 2017 |access-date=16 September 2024 |work=Better Planet Education}} and is a patron of the international children's film festival CineMagic, a registered charity for young people based in Belfast.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemagic.org.uk//about-us/festival-patrons/dermot-oleary|title=Dermot O'Leary - Cinemagic|work=cinemagic.org.uk|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404112633/http://www.cinemagic.org.uk//about-us/festival-patrons/dermot-oleary|url-status=live}} He has campaigned on behalf of Make Poverty History, and visited Sierra Leone with CAFOD accompanied by his father. He is also a patron of the male cancer awareness campaign Everyman. In 2003, he played in a charity match for the Colchester Gladiators as a punt returner, helping to raise £2,500 for the Barnardo's children's fund.{{cite web|url=http://www.eteamz.com/sites/colchestergladiators/news/index.cfm?cat=237582|title=Team History|publisher=Colchester Gladiators American Football Club|access-date=21 May 2008|archive-date=14 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614173028/http://www.eteamz.com/sites/colchestergladiators/news/index.cfm?cat=237582|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Match%20reports/20031019ColchesterEssex.htm |title=Colchester Gladiators - 20th Anniversary Reunion Game |publisher=Britball Now |date=19 October 2003 |access-date=13 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218153646/http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Match%2Breports/20031019ColchesterEssex.htm |archive-date=18 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}
In 2005, O'Leary ran the London Marathon for the third time, completing it for his first time under four hours.
In March 2014, along with Jeremy Kyle, Bill Bailey, John Prescott, Richard Osman, Rizzle Kicks, Louis Smith, Levi Roots, and Ricky Wilson, O'Leary went commando for charity to raise awareness of testicular cancer. The promo was released on 24 February 2014.{{cite web |url=http://m.thedrum.com/news/2014/02/24/john-prescott-dermot-oleary-bill-bailey-and-keith-lemon-go-commando-male-cancer |title=John Prescott, Dermot O'Leary, Bill Bailey and Keith Lemon go commando for Male Cancer Awareness Campaign | The Drum |publisher=M.thedrum.com |date=24 February 2014 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223951/http://m.thedrum.com/news/2014/02/24/john-prescott-dermot-oleary-bill-bailey-and-keith-lemon-go-commando-male-cancer |url-status=live }}
For Red Nose Day 2015, O'Leary participated in a 24-hour dance to raise money for Comic Relief.{{cite web|last1=Austin|first1=Ellie|title=Disco Dermot: Why I chose to dance for Comic Relief|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-03-12/disco-dermot-why-i-chose-to-dance-for-comic-relief|publisher=Radio Times|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315144920/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-03-12/disco-dermot-why-i-chose-to-dance-for-comic-relief|url-status=live}}
Personal life
O'Leary married his long-term girlfriend, Dee Koppang, in Chiddingstone in September 2012.[http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2800656.ece "My Secret Life: Dermot O'Leary, broadcaster"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930202425/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2800656.ece |date=30 September 2007 }}, The Independent 28 July 2007{{cite web|last1=Gordon|first1=Naomi|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a406058/dermot-oleary-marries-long-term-girlfriend-dee-koppang-picture/|title=Dermot O'Leary marries long-term girlfriend Dee Koppang – picture|website=Digital Spy|date=14 September 2012|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205504/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a406058/dermot-oleary-marries-long-term-girlfriend-dee-koppang-picture/|url-status=live}} Koppang is of Norwegian descent.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmCqiIJ4wvE |title=Britain's Got Talent Winner Viggo Venn - 21/07/2023 |date=2023-07-21 |last=LU7 Television Clips Xtra |access-date=2024-12-15 |via=YouTube}} They have one son, Kasper, who was born in June 2020.{{cite web|last1=Hegarty|first1=Tasha|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a33167262/dermot-oleary-dee-koppang-baby-name-kasper/|title=Dermot O'Leary confirms baby son's name in adorable radio show link|website=Digital Spy|date=4 July 2020|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205009/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a33167262/dermot-oleary-dee-koppang-baby-name-kasper/|url-status=live}}
In a 2003 interview, O'Leary praised the Socialist Workers Party but quipped that they would "take all of [his] money", so he instead supported the Labour Party.Rookwood, Dan (7 February 2003) [http://sport.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,889359,00.html Small Talk: Dermot O'Leary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619031431/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,889359,00.html |date=19 June 2007 }}, The Guardian He supports Arsenal F.C., Celtic F.C. and London Irish RFC.{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/borntowin/hi/the_mentors/newsid_3201000/3201517.stm | title= Meet Dermot O'Leary | work=BBC | date= 2 September 2003 | access-date=9 October 2022}} He can be heard on the Footballistically Arsenal podcast with his friends and fellow Arsenal fans Dan Baldwin and Boyd Hilton; on the show, it was mentioned that he owns shares in the club. He supports Wexford GAA in Gaelic games. During a studio guest appearance on Fantasy Football Euro 2004, he spoke of his support for the Republic of Ireland national football team and the national rugby union team.
In 2007, O'Leary was an usher at the wedding of Holly Willoughby.{{cite web |title=Holly Willoughby exclusive: Why she loves wearing those revealing dresses |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/02/26/holly-willoughby-exclusive-why-she-loves-wearing-those-revealing-dresses-89520-20332230 |publisher=Daily Mirror |access-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214141227/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/holly-willoughby-exclusive-why-she-loves-wearing-295326 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |date=26 February 2008 |url-status=dead}} He is a practising Roman Catholic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-features/cheerful-soundtrack-to-dermot-olearys-happy-life-30744991.html|title=Cheerful soundtrack to Dermot O'Leary's happy life|website=Independent.ie|date=17 November 2014 |access-date=23 December 2019|archive-date=23 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223205122/https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-features/cheerful-soundtrack-to-dermot-olearys-happy-life-30744991.html|url-status=live}} In an interview with Peter Stanford of the Daily Telegraph in February 2008, he "cheerfully" admitted using contraception while living with his future wife: "I do get it in the neck from some Catholics who say I am a buffet Catholic, picking and choosing the bits I like or don't like."{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3635587/Dermot-OLeary-The-real-Dermot-stands-up.html | title=Dermot O'Leary: The real Dermot stands up | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Peter | last=Stanford | date=11 February 2008 | access-date=23 January 2016 | archive-date=3 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303114933/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3635587/Dermot-OLeary-The-real-Dermot-stands-up.html | url-status=live }}
O'Leary co-owned the Fishy Fishy restaurants in Brighton and Poole.{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8234620.Dermot_O%20___Leary_pledges_future_to_Brighton/|title=Dermot O'Leary pledges future to Brighton|publisher=The Argus (Brighton)|date=24 June 2010|access-date=24 June 2010|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110040002/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8234620.Dermot_O%20___Leary_pledges_future_to_Brighton/|url-status=live}} The Poole restaurant closed in 2013,{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-03-10/dermot-oleary-forced-to-close-fish-restaurant/ |title=Dermot O'Leary 'forced to close' fish restaurant - ITV News |publisher=Itv.com |date=10 March 2013 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=27 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727155522/http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-03-10/dermot-oleary-forced-to-close-fish-restaurant/ |url-status=live }} and the Brighton restaurant closed in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14186076.Dermot_O_Leary_s_Brighton_restaurant_Fishy_Fishy_hits_the_rocks/|title=Dermot O'Leary's Brighton restaurant Fishy Fishy hits the rocks|date=7 January 2016 |access-date=8 January 2016|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126003521/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14186076.Dermot_O_Leary_s_Brighton_restaurant_Fishy_Fishy_hits_the_rocks/|url-status=live}}
Television
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2023}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1998–2001
| T4 | rowspan="3" | Presenter | |
| 1999
| The Dog's Balearics | |
| 2000
| The Barfly Sessions | |
| 2000, 2008, 2009
| Guest Team Captain / Guest Presenter | 3 episodes |
| 2001–2008
| Big Brother's Little Brother | rowspan="6" | Presenter | |
| 2002
|2 episodes |
| 2002–2003
| |
| 2002–2004
| 3 series |
| 2003
| Teen Big Brother: The Experiment | |
| 2004
| 7 episodes |
| 2005, 2011–2013
| Co-presenter | Annually; 3 episodes |
| 2006
| rowspan="7" | Presenter | |
| 2006–2007
| 2 series |
| 2007–2014, 2016–2018
| 11 series |
| 2008
| Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack | |
| 2009
| Series 3 |
| rowspan="3" |2010
| Question Time: First Time Voters | One-off episode |
| Dermot Meets...
| 1 series |
| A League of Their Own
|Guest Team Captain |2 episodes |
| 2010–present
| Co-presenter | Annually; 7 episodes with Kirsty Gallacher |
| 2010–2019
| The National Television Awards | rowspan="3" |Presenter | 10 ceremonies |
| rowspan="2" |2011
| One–off episode |
| The Marriage Ref
| 1 series |
| 2012
| Co–presenter | 1 episode, with Davina McCall |
| rowspan=2|2013
| rowspan="2" | Presenter | rowspan="2" | One–off episode |
| BRITs Icon: Elton John |
| 2014
| Live From Space | Presenter | 3 episodes |
| 2014, 2020
| Stand–in Co–presenter | 9 episodes |
| 2015
| Co-presenter | Main role, with Tess Daly and Fearne Cotton |
| rowspan=2|2016
| Presenter | 1 series |
| The One Show
| Guest Presenter | 2 episodes |
| rowspan=2|2017
| Co-presenter | 37th event with Emma Willis |
| The Nightly Show
| Guest Presenter | 9 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Commentator | 2 episodes |
| Reel Stories: Kylie Minogue
|Host |BBC Two programme |
| rowspan=4| 2019
| Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century | Category Presenter ("Advocate") | 2 episodes |
| Small Fortune
| rowspan="3" | Presenter | rowspan="3" | 1 series |
| The X Factor: Celebrity |
| The X Factor: The Band |
| rowspan=2| 2020
| Co–presenter | One–off special |
| Goodwood SpeedWeek
| Presenter | |
| rowspan="5" | 2021
| rowspan="2" |Co–presenter | With Edith Bowman{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56711344|title=Bafta Film Awards 2021: Nomadland and Promising Young Woman win big|work=BBC News|date=11 April 2021|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411182232/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56711344|url-status=live}} |
| The Pet Show
| With Joanna Page{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week44/pet-show|title=The Pet Show|website=itv.com/presscentre|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104112731/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week44/pet-show|url-status=live}} |
| An Audience with Arsène Wenger and David Dein
| Presenter |
| 48 Hours to Victory
| Co-presenter | Three-part Channel 4 series{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/dermot-oleary-presents-48-hours-victory|title=48 Hours to Victory|website=channel4.com/press|access-date=18 November 2021|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118193556/https://www.channel4.com/press/news/dermot-oleary-presents-48-hours-victory|url-status=live}} |
| Reel Stories: Sting
| Presenter |
| 2021–present
|Co-presenter |Fridays; with Alison Hammond |
| 2022
| Reel Stories: Robbie Williams |Presenter | BBC Two programme{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ct6s|title=Reel Stories|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=1 October 2022}} |
| rowspan=4|2023
|Himself |1 episode; “Paraskevidekatriaphobia”{{Cite web |title=Inside No. 9 episode 3 ending explained: Creators on Paraskevidekatriaphobia |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/inside-no-9-episode-3-ending-explained/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=Radio Times |language=en}} |
| The Chase for Soccer Aid
| Contestant | Soccer Aid celebrity special{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/watch/the-chase/1a7842/1a7842a2130|title=The Chase|website=itv.com|access-date=6 July 2023}} |
| Reel Stories: Noel Gallagher
| Host | BBC Two programme{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00068s0|title=Reel Stories|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=2 July 2023}} |
| Remarkable Places to Eat
| Himself |
| rowspan="5" |2024
| Saving Lives at Sea in World War II | Presenter |
| The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
| Contestant |
| Reel Stories: Jon Bon Jovi
| Host |
| Reel Stories: Shania Twain
| Host |
| Dermot O'Leary's Taste of Ireland
|Presenter |
| 2025
| Silence is Golden | Host |
Radio
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Network ! Slot ! Notes |
| 2001{{ndash}}2002
| rowspan=2|XFM | Weekday mornings | |
| 2002{{ndash}}2003
| Saturday evenings | Show called The Weekender |
| 2004{{ndash}}2005
| rowspan=6|BBC Radio 2 | Saturdays 2{{snd}}4{{nbsp}}pm | Show called Dermot's Saturday Club |
| 2005{{ndash}}2006
| Saturdays 5{{snd}}7{{nbsp}}pm | |
| 2006{{ndash}}2007
| Saturdays 4:30{{snd}}6:30{{nbsp}}pm | 2{{nbsp}}pm{{snd}}4{{nbsp}}pm (during The X Factor months) |
| 2008{{ndash}}2009
| Saturdays 2{{snd}}5{{nbsp}}pm | |
| 2009{{ndash}}2017
| Saturdays 3{{snd}}6{{nbsp}}pm | |
| 2017{{ndash}}
| Saturdays 8{{snd}}10{{nbsp}}am | Show called Saturday Breakfast with Dermot |
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|0641581}}
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h8xsc Dermot O'Leary] (BBC Radio 2)
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001622l Alternative Sounds of the 90s with Dermot O'Leary] (BBC Radio 2)
{{The X Factor (UK)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oleary, Dermot}}
Category:Alumni of Middlesex University
Category:BBC Radio 2 presenters
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:English Roman Catholics
Category:English television presenters