Dermot O'Leary thinks X Factor should emphasise contestants' hard work over sob stories, just like rival Strictly Come Dancing

Dermot O'Leary thinks X Factor should emphasise contestants' hard work over sob stories, just like rival Strictly Come Dancing

X Factor host Dermot O’Leary has said that the ITV show needs to emphasise just how hard contestants work to help fans get behind them â€" just like Strictly Come Dancing.

Speaking ahead of the talent show’s return next Saturday, the 40-year-old also admitted that viewers probably connect more with grafters over those that come with “a sob story”.

“Strictly’s a great show and what they do so well is when it comes round to Saturday night you’re rooting for a person because you think they’ve worked hard all week,” Dermot is quoted as telling The Sun on Sunday.

“I think we need to do that more often because our contestants work really hard. The public engage with that. They don’t want privilege or a sob story.”

He added: “The person who wins our show has worked the hardest. The last three are always the grafters... with some blips. I think that never comes across enough on our show. We need to show how hard these kids work.”

The star, who joined the X Factor in 2007, also said that he was “shocked” that boss Simon Cowell would be a dad before him â€" and revealed that he would love to have kids soon.

“I hope I’ll be a dad. I’d love to be a dad,” he is reported to have said.

“I’m blessed with a brilliant but very busy wife. We know we want to have kids soon but it’s nothing that’s keeping us up at night.

“We’ve just got two mental cats and that’s what’s keeping us up at night.”

* The X Factor returns to ITV next Saturday, August 31