Dermot O’Leary has defended The X Factor against criticism from former contestants, whilst acknowledging the show “would be made differently” if produced today.
The 51-year-old presenter, who hosted the singing competition from 2007 to 2014 and returned for its final three seasons, insisted that participants were treated well during their time on the programme.
O’Leary claimed that many negative experiences occurred after contestants left the show rather than during filming.
The talent show, which ended in 2018, launched the careers of One Direction and Little Mix but has faced increasing scrutiny over its treatment of participants.
Dermot O’Leary has defended The X Factor following recent criticisms
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Speaking to The Times, O’Leary said: “If the show was made now, it’d be made differently. The culture is different, but it was pretty much always celebratory.”
He added: “Look, not everyone on the show is going to knock it out of the park. Not everyone is going to have the best experience.”
The presenter maintained that contestants’ issues often stemmed from life after the programme ended.
“Most of the people we had on were treated really well, and a lot of people who have talked negatively about their experiences are talking about what happened after they left,” he explained.
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Simon Cowell has come under fire in recent years over The X Factor controversies
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“I think 99 out of 100 actually missed the show — they missed the bubble. So if there is a duty of care to be looked at, it’s what happens afterwards.”
O’Leary’s defence comes after numerous former contestants have spoken out against the show.
Matt Terry, who won in 2016, told MailOnline he hoped the show “never” returns, calling it “not good for people”.
Katie Waissel claimed the show “ruined” her life, saying she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following her appearance in 2010.
Cher Lloyd stated she was “exploited” as a teenager, while Jedward once tweeted that contestants were “slaves to the show”.
Misha B has said she contemplated suicide after being accused of bullying on live television by judges Louis Walsh and Tulisa.
O’Leary also addressed duty of care concerns following the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne last October.
Payne, who found fame on The X Factor in 2010, died aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
“He was both wise and sort of a young soul at the same time,” O’Leary said of the late singer.
The presenter acknowledged that duty of care is “an industry-wide conversation that should be had”.
One Direction was formed on ITV reality show The X Factor
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“Duty of care is the most important thing when doing shows like this and I wouldn’t dare to presume to speak for everyone,” he added.
“But in my experience, it was always taken seriously on the show — and would be even more thorough now.”
O’Leary revealed that he saw his role on the show as helping “to normalise the experience for contestants”.
He told The Sunday Times: “I used to go down on Thursday and Friday. I didn’t have to – I just took the job seriously.”
The presenter would make extra efforts to support participants beyond his contracted duties.
“So I’d ingratiate myself with the singers and make sure they were comfortable, because you want them to be able to have their moment on the weekend,” he explained.
Despite the show’s declining viewership in its later years, O’Leary maintains that The X Factor was largely a positive experience for most contestants.
