Dermot O'Leary QUITS The X Factor after presenting the show for eight years... as he admits it's 'time to move on'
Dermot O'Leary has announced he's leaving The X Factor.
The hugely popular presenter, who has fronted the ITV talent show for nearly a decade and has become a household name across the country, has revealed he's stepping back as he plans to move on to other things.
He posted a series of messages on Twitter confirming the news: 'After eight wonderful years on The X Factor it's time for me to move on.'
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He's off: Dermot O'Leary has confirmed he's leaving The X Factor after presenting the ITV talent show for eight years
'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. You're about to be the conductor on the most brilliant, runaway train in showbiz. Good luck you'll love it!'
An ITV spokesman said: 'Dermot's been a fantastic host of The X Factor for the past eight series and we're sorry to see him go. We wish him all the very best for the future and hope that he'll be back on ITV screens soon.'
The 41-year-old has been a mainstay on Simon Cowell's popular singing competition since 2007.
Familiar face: The hugely popular presenter has revealed he's stepping back as he plans to move on to other things
Exciting plans: Dermot hasn't made it clear what his ongoing plans are following his departure from the role
He sensationally replaced the show's previous presenter Kate Thornton, who had hosted since it began in 2004, after she was sacked by the show's creator and lead judge, Simon.
At the time, Dermot - who was then a little-known presenter who hosted Big Brother spin-off show Big Brother's Little Brother and also for his work on T4 - was only signed up for two series.
But he has stayed on for eight, and has become one of the nation's best-loved TV presenters.
Amid all the changes in the judging panel, seeing other big-name stars come and go, the fun-loving and good-humoured star has always been a stable addition to The X Factor.
Fans were quick to react to the news with outspoken TV personality Katie Hopkins writing: 'B***** hell. No more Dermot OOOOOHHHHH Leary on #XFactor'.
A devastated fan said: 'No more Dermot O'Leary on the xfactor?! No point in watching'.
Announcement: As well as revealing the sad news in an official statement, Dermot also took to his Twitter page on Friday afternoon to dole out the news
Household name: Over the years, Dermot has become a favourite in households across the UK
Classy gent: He revealed his departure from the show in good spirits, wishing good luck to his sucessor... who has yet to be announced
One fan pointed out it has been a week of bad news as they wrote: 'First Zayn and now Dermot? What's happening to the world??'
While another wrote: 'So many things are ending in 1 week! Zayn quits 1D, Dermot leaves X factor, Clackson sacked, Downton Abbey finished! I blame the eclipse!'
A furious fan tweeted: '@TheXFactor why on earth would you guys get rid of dermot, he was one of the best things on this show'.
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini appeared to share her sadness about Dermot's departure when a fan asked: 'Cheryl did you hear the sad news'.
The X Factor judge simply replied: 'yeah' followed by a crying emoticon and a sad face.
Popular addition: Along with the changing judging panel over the years, Dermot has been the one constant in Simon Cowell's reality show
An absolute pro: Dermot - seen with Rylan Clark and Kye Sones - fronted the ITV talent show for nearly a decade
The former Big Brother’s Little Brother presenter revealed earlier this year that he suspected he was going to be axed as he hadn’t yet been offered a new contract by judge and show boss Simon Cowell.
Dermot said previously: 'We normally sit down February/March but Simon wants to change stuff. So I need to see what changes he is going to make before a) I know if he wants me and b) whether I'm suitable for those changes.'
He added: 'If he [Simon] turns around and says, "Half your gig is a voiceover", then I will have to think about it. If he lets me do my thing then of course I would do it.'
There would be no hard feelings between Dermot and boss Simon Cowell, as the presenter has previously praised his 'fair' leader.
Dermot said: 'He always lets me get on with my job, which is the biggest compliment he can give me.
'This idea that he sits across everything and says, "I want this to happen, and this to happen" is nonsense.
'He trusts people. He doesn't like "yes men" so if you're in a meeting with him and you disagree with everything he says, you need to bring something else or you won't get invited to that meeting again. He's a good boss, he's a fair boss.'
Reactions: Fans were quick to react to the news with outspoken TV personality Katie Hopkins happy to share her thoughts
Sad face: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini appeared to share her sadness about Dermot's departure when asked by a fan
Unhappy: The general reaction from viewers indicated that most were sad to see Dermot leave the show
Producers of the show are currently revamping the format after it was revealed The X Factor has lost its Saturday night slot to the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
A source shared: 'It will give producers more freedom to play around with the format in the early stages and freshen up the show a bit as the Saturdays have become predictable.'
Meanwhile, executive producer Richard Holloway claimed Simon’s fellow judges Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Louis Walsh and Mel B could also be facing the axe.
He said earlier this week: 'There will be some exiting changes. The name of the show will stay the same but we are looking at the format and the judges. There will be some surprises this year. But I can’t go into detail … It’s safe to say Simon is staying.'
While Dermot hasn't made it clear what his ongoing plans are, he previously admitted in an interview that he'd never cross over to host The X Factor's rival show Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One.
When asked if he'd ever host Strictly, he told DigitalSpy: 'Never! You cut me and I bleed X! I couldn't. Strictly are a very lovely, cuddly, benevolent enemy... but they're still the enemy! I couldn't do it.'
Dermot has previously spoken about who he would see as a fitting replacement telling BBC Newsbeat: 'Emma Willis is a good friend and if I was ever not going to do the job I couldn't think of anyone better to do it than her.
'Emma has a very good job at the moment on both shows. If I had to pick she'd be my choice'.
Earlier this week, bookmakers William Hill had O'Leary as 6-1 to replace Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear with only fellow DJ Chris Evans and Jodie Kidd ahead of him in the betting.
The charitable star raised more than half a million pounds for Comic Relief this month by taking part in a 24-hour dance marathon .
MailOnline has contacted a representative for The X Factor and is awaiting comment.
In it for the long haul: The popular star joined the show as the host in 2007, taking over from Kate Thornton
