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Dermot O'Leary

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Dermot O'Leary

Dermot O'Leary (born Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary, Jr.[1][2] on 24 May 1973[3]) is an Irish television and radio presenter, who has had a hugely successful career in the United Kingdom. O'Leary established himself as a fixture on British television screens as presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 and has since moved on to The X Factor over on ITV. He has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2. He is known internationally for introducing Michael Jackson to a large audience of fans in London in March 2009 in what turned out to be Jackson's final public appearance before his death, with the two sharing an affectionate hug. O'Leary later told of the effect this moment had on him, describing himself as "quite honoured that I was the last man in the country to introduce him on stage, that's certainly something to tell the grandkids about".[4]


Early life

O'Leary was born and grew up in Colchester to Irish parents. O'Leary attended primary school in Mark's Tey. He then attended St. Benedicts College (Roman Catholic) in Colchester, graduating with two General Certificates of Secondary Education,[5] and Colchester Sixth Form College.

O'Leary studied at Middlesex University, achieving a degree in Media and Television with Politics. He achieved a 2:2.

He has spoken with pride of his Irish roots, and holds an Irish passport.[2]

Career

Television

O'Leary started as a disc jockey at Radio Essex[6] and was then picked up to be in national music group "steps". After quitting due to unexplained circumstances he became a runner on the TV show Light Lunch with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins and then presenter at Channel 4, being part of the original presenting line-up of the channel's T4 strand, before moving on to present Big Brother's Little Brother (the companion show to Big Brother) on E4 from 2001 onwards. As of 2006, the show became less popular due to the huge success of fellow Big Brother sister show Big Brother's Big Mouth. O'Leary shares the same talent agency as Russell Brand and Davina McCall - John Noel Management. On 27 November 2007, it was announced that Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack was to be O'Leary's last series of Big Brother, and that he would not return in summer 2008. After seven years he made his final Big Brother appearance on 28 January 2008. A special "Best Bits" trail was played.

In August 2006, O'Leary signed a deal to present the game show 1 vs. 100, which aired on Saturday nights on BBC One in combination with the National Lottery draws. Russell Brand fever was blamed for that move.[7] That show is now hosted by Ben Shephard.

On 29 March 2007, it was announced that O'Leary would replace Kate Thornton as the new host of ITV's The X Factor for at least two series. Speaking after the announcement he said: "I was very flattered to be offered the job to host such a hugely successful show. I'm really looking forward to working with Simon Cowell and the team on the kind of Saturday night entertainment show I grew up watching." While presenting the show he has managed to upset Celine Dion among other things, later saying he "literally had to shut her up" though he did not apologise.[8]

In March 2009, O'Leary introduced Michael Jackson to a large audience of fans in London in what turned out to be Jackson's final public appearance before his death, with the two sharing an affectionate hug.[9][10][11][12]

In May 2009, O'Leary became the new host of Matt Lucas and David Walliams' Rock Profile.[13]

In March 2010, O'Leary hosted a spinoff edition of the BBC One show Question Time, which aired on BBC Three. The show was aimed at first time voters.[14]

In June 2010, O'Leary hosted Soccer Aid on ITV 1

Future projects

He has on several occasions expressed interest in hosting The Rose of Tralee,[15][16] particularly after Ray D'Arcy, a host with whom he has exchanged public banter,[17] vacated the role in 2010.[18] O'Leary watched The Rose of Tralee when he was a young lad.[19]

Radio

O'Leary joined London's Indie rock station XFM in 2001 firstly presenting weekday mid-mornings from 10 am–1 pm, before moving to a Saturday evening show in mid 2002, where he remained until he was fired from the station in late 2003, due to poor ratings.

O'Leary joined BBC Radio 2 in September 2004, presenting a Saturday afternoon show entitled Dermot's Saturday Club which ran from 2pm to 4pm. Following a number of changes to the length and timing of Dermot's programme, due in part to the arrival of Chris Evans to Radio 2 and his role as presenter of ITV's Saturday night talent show The X Factor, his show has broadcast between 3pm and 6pm since April 2009.

O'Leary's Radio 2 show focuses on new music and live sessions, and has featured live sessions from the likes of Oasis, Supergrass, The Raconteurs, Massive Attack, Kasabian, Guillemots, The Zutons, Alesha Dixon, Beck, The Lemonheads, Lily Allen, Foo Fighters, The Go! Team, Bloc Party, Ben Kweller, The Magic Numbers, Moby and Kate Nash. O'Leary also hosts Radio 2's coverage of the Brit Awards and South by Southwest.

O'Leary won a Sony Gold Award for Music Programme of the Year in 2008.[20]

Shows hosted

Television

Radio

  • XFM Weekday Mid-Mornings - (2001–2002)
  • XFM The Weekender Saturday Evenings - (2002–2003)
  • BBC Radio 2 Dermot's Saturday Club Saturdays 2-4pm (2004–2005)
  • BBC Radio 2 The Dermot O'Leary Show Saturdays 5-7pm (2005–2006), Saturdays 4.30-6.30pm (2006–2007), Saturdays 2-4pm (during The X Factor, Nov-Dec 2007), Saturdays 2-5pm (2008–2009), Saturdays 3-6pm (2009-)

Personal life

His Irish roots and sport both play a large part in his personal life.

In interviews (including two with the British newspaper The Guardian), O'Leary has stated that he supports Arsenal, Celtic and the British Labour Party. He is of Irish descent, supports Wexford and has attended matches in the past. He has identified himself as a left-wing socialist.[22] During an appearance as a studio guest on Fantasy Football Euro 2004, O'Leary spoke of his support for the Republic of Ireland football team. When O'Leary was in his late teens, he played American Football for his local team, "Colchester Gladiators". He supports London Irish. He ran the 2005 London Marathon (his third) under four hours for the first time. In 2007 he was an usher at the wedding of Holly Willoughby.[23] He is also a practising Roman Catholic, having contributed to the collection of essays Why I am Still Catholic in 2005. In the February 2008 issue of Irish society magazine Social and Personal, Dermot was voted the sexiest man in Ireland out of the Top 100.[citation needed]

O'Leary has campaigned on behalf of Make Poverty History, and has visited Sierra Leone with CAFOD accompanied by his father, Sean O'Leary. He is also a patron of the male cancer awareness campaign, Everyman. In 2003, he played in a charity match for the Colchester Gladiators as a punt returner, helping to raise £2,500 for the Barnardo's children's fund.[24][25]

O'Leary has been with his girlfriend, Dee Koppang, for over eight years.[26][27][28] He co-owns the restaurant FishyFishy in Brighton.[29]

O'Leary says his funeral song would be "Tonight We Fly" by The Divine Comedy.[30]

References

  1. ^ Rosenbaum, Danny. "Fishy Fishy: Dermot O'Leary's Biography". London.
  2. ^ a b O'Leary talks about his Irish roots. RTÉ Enertainment. 15 May 2010.
  3. ^ Rosenbaum, Danny. "Fishy Fishy: Dermot O'Leary's Biography". London.)
  4. ^ O'Leary talks about meeting Jackson. RTÉ Entretainment. 7 August 2009.
  5. ^ Sims, Fiona (12 June 2009). "Fishy Fishy: Dermot O'Leary's restaurant is the reel deal". London: The Times. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  6. ^ http://www.dermotoleary.net/biography.shtml
  7. ^ Dermot O'Leary in move to the BBC. RTÉ Entertainment. 28 August 2006.
  8. ^ Dermot O'Leary upsets Celine Dion. RTÉ Entertinement. 14 December 2007.
  9. ^ Michael Jackson Announces Plans For Summer Residency At The O2 Arena (Dermot O'Leary) Zimbio, 5 March 2009
  10. ^ Samson, Pete (7 March 2009) What Jacko said to Dermot: Dermot, is the teleprompter on? The Sun
  11. ^ Youngs, Ian (5 March 2009) 'Final curtain call' for Jackson BBC News Online
  12. ^ Michael Jackson announces O2 Arena London gigs - and retirement? NME 5 March 2009
  13. ^ Rock Profile:Peter Andre & Jordan Pt.1 Funny or Die
  14. ^ O'Leary to host episode of Question Time. RTÉ Intertainment. 12 February 2010.
  15. ^ Dermot O'Leary wants Rose of Tralee gig. RTÉ Entertinment. 11 August 2009.
  16. ^ O’Leary: it would be blooming great if I was the new Rose of Tralee host. Belfast Telegraph 15 May 2010.
  17. ^ Ray D'Arcy hits back at Dermot O'Leary. RTÉ Entertainmeant. 19 August 2009.
  18. ^ O'Leary says he is 'free' for Rose of Tralee. RTÉ Entertainmint. 13 May 2010.
  19. ^ RTE mulling over Dermot's offer to host Roses. Melanie Finn. May 14, 2010.
  20. ^ Beeb
  21. ^ http://www.speakerscorner.co.uk/file/be39c22e2ba2c7fe1b65b1ce534fb41d/dermot-oleary-tv-presenter-radio-presenter-awards-host.html
  22. ^ Rookwood, Dan (7 February 2003) Small Talk: Dermot O'Leary The Guardian
  23. ^ Holly Willoughby exclusive: Why she loves wearing those revealing dresses. Daily Mirror.
  24. ^ "Team History". Colchester Gladiators American Football Club. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
  25. ^ "Colchester Gladiators - 20th Anniversary Reunion Game". Britball Now. 19 October 2003. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  26. ^ Fulton, Rick (30 September 2005) Relax, Girls, Dermot Is Not Getting Married The Daily Record
  27. ^ Williams, Andrew (23 July 2007) 60 SECONDS: Dermot O’Leary Metro
  28. ^ My Secret Life: Dermot O'Leary, broadcaster The Independent 28 July 2007
  29. ^ "Dermot O'Leary pledges future to Brighton". The Argus (Brighton). 24 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  30. ^ Dermot O'Leary Biography BBC Radio 2

External links

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