Dermot happy to take X Factor spotlight

Updated 12.12 Thu Aug 16 2007

Keywords: Kate Thornton, Dermot O'Leary

X Factor's new presenter Dermot O'Leary says he doesn't feel bad about replacing Kate Thornton on the show.

O'Leary is taking the place of Thornton after she was sensationally sacked from the popular talent series.

"There is a fraternity amongst presenters but we're not coal miners, I mean I'm not a scav. Kate finished with the X Factor and it was all done very above board" - Dermot O'Leary

But the Big Brother's Little Brother presenter says he doesn't feel like a back-stabbing traitor because he has been given Kate's blessing.

The TV personality says the presenter fraternity is a tight knit community but obviously not tight enough to stop the presenter from snapping up the opportunity to host one of TV's most popular shows.

Dermot said: "I called Kate the day I took the job before it went out and it was important for me to do that. She was very gracious and a lady.

"The way I look at it is, it's a job. There is a fraternity amongst presenters but we're not coal miners, I mean I'm not a scav. Kate finished with the X Factor and it was all done very above board.

He added: "I was offered the job and it's the biggest show on television, so I'm not going to turn it down."