Amid some major shake-ups, host Dermot O’Leary officially confirmed his return for The X Factor Season 16, while warning that things will be different this year. While fans can expect a familiar face, the TV personality teased that there are going to be some big changes to the show.
Originally a British singing reality competition show created by former American Idol judge Simon Cowell, The X-Factor premiered on Fox in 2011 to tepid reviews; but they then revamped the show in Season 2 with surprise celebrity judges like Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. While it remained on the air – now on ITV – its viewership has steadily declined throughout the years. In 2018, Season 15 earned the lowest ratings in 14 years, and producers decided to shake things up for Season 16. There have been reports that the show is undergoing major changes, though one thing will remain the same: Dermot O’Leary’s not going anywhere.
The host told Metro he’d be “back this year.” However, despite remaining tight-lipped so as to not give away any spoilers, O’Leary did hint that “an evolution” would take place that everyone involved with the show is “pretty excited about.” Audiences might not know what to expect, but O’Leary said nothing surprises him anymore because “the show never rests on its laurels.” This explains why it’s been on the air for more than a decade.
The format changes to the show include a much-rumored celebrity special, followed directly by another one-off, featuring all-star contestants from previous seasons. Some fans highly doubt the new structure will do that much to help the series’ ratings, but everyone involved with the show seems more confident than ever. Viewers will have to wait until the Season 16 premiere to find out if that’s true.
The judging panel hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but Louis Walsh of One Direction has reportedly said that he’ll be back, while Cheryl has also expressed an interest in returning. Since O’Leary has been around on and off for ten seasons of The X-Factor, it is a relief to many fans of the show that he isn’t going anywhere in the midst of all the changes. The beloved host has been a staple on the show and a familiar face for The X Factor viewers. While the whole tone of the show may change, O’Leary will remain the host of The X-Factor Season 16, which should add some familiarity for longtime fans.
