The X Factor 2016: Dermot O’Leary Confirms Launch Date For New Series

Dermot O’Leary has confirmed that The X Factor will return to our screens during the last weekend of August – and has also revealed some changes ahead of the new series.

The TV host – who is returning to the show after he was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack in 2015 – claims that the music competition has adopted a “back-to-basics” approach this year.

Copyright [ITV]

Speaking to Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes on This Morning earlier today (July 26), the 46-year-old revealed: “We’ve filmed everything up to and including the Six Chair Challenge.”

Keeping some details under wraps, the host didn’t mention whether or not the arena auditions had been axed (as speculated in June), but admitted that the atmosphere on the set was what he had hoped for.

He explained: “The overriding feeling for me this year is that it’s been very warm and very fun, and with coming back that is the one thing I wanted.

“It feels very warm, feels very funny and doesn’t feel cruel. Simon being a dad might have something to do with that, but he reacts to a ‘no’ in a completely different way now.”

Copyright [ITV]

In addition to Derm’s return, the judging line-up has experienced a shake-up to include Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and, of course, Simon Cowell as the solo-surviving member of last year’s panel.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter credited the ‘new’ line-up, who have all formerly appeared as judges on the show, for creating a good vibe on and off camera as he added: “The judges are all getting on very well.

“Sharon [Osbourne] being back adds a bit of oomph to Louis and he stand up to Simon a bit more. Nicole [Scherzinger] is brilliant because she’s so beautiful and intelligent and really funny.”

Copyright [MCPIX/REX/Shutterstock]

He then went on to respond to the barrage of criticism and failing audience figures that the series experienced last year, explaining: “Most people have said let’s try and get back to our basics.

“This show is a celebration of great British eccentrics and then we get to the end in the studio and we have eight great voices and three or four great characters and then the public decide. It’s that simple.”

He also teased: “We’ve got to do a few [dances] with the tongue firmly in its cheek,” referring to his live show dance routines, which became a fan highlight before his departure.

And now that we all have the ultimate reason to tune in, we suggest that you claim your spot on the sofa for August 27 as X Factor returns to ITV.