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Dermot O'Leary reveals Prince William asked him for a 'Dermot hug' as The X Factor host gears up for the National Television Awards

Dermot O'Leary has spoken about meeting Prince William: Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images
Dermot O'Leary has spoken about meeting Prince William: Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images

Dermot O’Leary has revealed that Prince William asked him for a “Dermot hug” when the pair met last year.

The unusual request came as O’Leary queued along with Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger to meet the Duke of Cambridge at the 2017 Pride of Britain Awards.

O’Leary told The Sun: “Everyone who’s getting an award meets the royals. When it was Prince Charles there was more of a semi-circle with everyone waiting to shake his hand, but William was more chilled and was saying hello to everyone.

“Nicole told him her code name in Pussycat Dolls was Prince William, which he loved. Then he came to me and said, ‘You know what I need? I need a Dermot hug.’ And I said, ‘Right, bring it on.’”

Dermot O'Leary revealed Prince William once asked him for a hug (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire/PA Images)
Dermot O'Leary revealed Prince William once asked him for a hug (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire/PA Images)

The presenter continued: “So we had a hug and he went, ‘Oh that’s a good hug, and it’s important to hug.’”

O’Leary is well-known for his trademark hugs, consoling failed contestants on The X Factor – something the 44-year-old reckons Prince William may have seen, or at least heard about.

“If he was briefed he was exceptionally well briefed. It was a touching moment, we brought it in together. He’s a good hugger,” he added.

The host will return to the stage once more on Tuesday as he hosts the 23rd National Television Awards live from The O2 Arena.

And O’Leary admitted he will be rooting for Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to scoop the Best Presenter(s) award for the 17th time.

He told the publication: “I desperately want them to win. One of the things I’m most excited about is to announce that Ant is there.

“It’s great to see a friend fit and healthy. He looks great, he’s obviously been through a tough time but his health and his happiness are important. I won’t hound anyone but I’ll send him a text from time to time, just saying, ‘Ant, how are you doing? Sending you love.”

McPartlin recently announced his split from his wife of 11 years Lisa Armstrong, just months after a stint in rehab for an addiction to painkiller medication following botched knee surgery.