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X Factor host calls Robbie Williams a "born judge"

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

From Digital Spy

X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary has been praising new judges Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field.

Speaking on This Morning today (September 20), O'Leary described Williams as a "born judge", and added that Field has been "perfect".

"Robbie and Ayda have been terrific," he told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. "Robbie is just a born judge. Brilliantly, he's very emotionally intelligent and gets people in very quickly when they come on, so he realises he far he can push them.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Related: The X Factor 2018 – everything you need to know

"And Ayda's a perfect fall for him. She's been through a million and one auditions now, and she's an underdog because she has to prove herself. I think she'll bring her experience in the industry, and actually it's far more about the nerves when one performs.

"So far she's been terrific and I think she'll be a really good mentor. Also, she knows she's got a point to prove."

The decision to introduce Williams and Field to the judging panel was heavily criticised by fans before the show even launched. And they didn't exactly make the greatest impression in this series' opener, with many viewers complaining about their PDA.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

The married couple are joined by another newcomer in Louis Tomlinson, as the show features its biggest judging panel overhaul in years.

On the addition of former One Direction singer Tomlinson, O'Leary said: "There's [a] substitute for someone who's been there and done it."

The X Factor airs at 8pm on ITV.


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