Ben Haenow: X Factor not the same without Dermot O’Leary

OHMYGOSSIP — Ben Haenow doesn’t think ‘The X Factor’ is the same now Dermot O’Leary has left the show.

The 42-year-old television host was dropped as the presenter after eight years on the hit ITV programme and the ‘Second Hand Heart’ hitmaker – who won the show last year – believes it’s gone downhill since his departure.

He told heat magazine: “I miss Dermot. He was presenting the show the year I won, so he’s obviously got a special place in my heart. It’s not the same without him.”

However, Dermot, who was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack, has nothing bad to say about the ITV series but doesn’t watch it any more.

He said previously: “I don’t watch it religiously now because I was on it for so long and I have got my weekends back.”

However, Louis Walsh – who was axed as a judge on the talent show earlier this year – recently sent the former host a text message claiming their exits are the reason the singing competition is losing in the weekend ratings war.

Dermot said: “I haven’t seen Louis for ages but I got a text from him last week saying, ‘They are missing us, Dermot — have you seen the ratings?’ “

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