Dermot O'Leary To Be Replaced On 'X Factor' By Caroline Flack And Olly Murs?

Caroline And Olly 'To Replace Dermot' On 'X Factor'
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Dermot O'Leary is to be replaced by presenting duo Caroline Flack and Olly Murs on 'The X Factor', according to reports.

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It was announced on Friday afternoon that after eight years with the show, Dermot would not be returning to host the ITV singing competition, with reports claiming that he'd been axed by Simon Cowell.

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Caroline Flack and Olly Murs

The pair formerly hosted 'X Factor' spin-off series 'The Xtra Factor' together for two years, with Caroline going on to host with comedian Matt Richardson after Olly's departure.

Olly also has a long history with 'X Factor', after first finding fame as a contestant on the show back in 2009, eventually finishing in second place.

Earlier this week, Caroline shared a photo with Olly on her Instagram page, as a 'throwback Thursday' snap to when they "first met".

Back in November, she also uploaded a selfie with him, alongside the caption: "Back working with this lovely chap… will reveal all soon."

Since leaving 'The Xtra Factor' in 2013, Caroline has since gone on to be crowned winner of rival show 'Strictly Come Dancing', though she insists that there were no hard feelings between herself and Simon, despite her having defected to the BBC.

Last September, she told HuffPost UK: "We're on good terms."

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Dermot O'Leary

Meanwhile, the news of Dermot's shock departure from 'X Factor' comes just days after he was named one of the hot favourites to replace Jeremy Clarkson on 'Top Gear'.

If Caroline and Olly decide they aren't up to the job, here are a few of our suggestions for who could take over from Dermot...

Dermot O'Leary's Potential Replacements
Kate Thornton(01 of12)
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Kate fronted 'X Factor' way back, when it first arrived on our screens. Could she reprise her role? (credit:JON FURNISS/INVISION/AP)
Jeremy Clarkson(02 of12)
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Well... he could always give it a go. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fearne Cotton(03 of12)
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Fearne announced her plans to leave Radio 1 earlier this year, meaning she's definitely free to consider the job. We reckon Fearne would be a fab replacement. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Zayn Malik(04 of12)
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We're not sure it fits with his "being a normal 22-year-old" plan, but stranger things have happened... (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Caroline Flack (05 of12)
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Get Flacko Backo! The former 'Xtra Factor' presenter went on to win 'Strictly Come Dancing' after being replaced on the 'Xtra Factor' last year. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Nick Grimshaw(06 of12)
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Grimmy's no stranger to rubbing shoulders with A-listers, so we reckon he'd make those Sunday night special guests feel right at home. Perhaps his good friend Harry Styles could also co-host a show or two... (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Sinitta (07 of12)
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It's about time Sinitta and her palm leaves stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Steve Brookstein(08 of12)
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Steve hasn't exactly seen eye-to-eye with Simon Cowell in recent years - perhaps they could patch up their differences and make this happen? (credit:Andy Sheppard via Getty Images)
Eric Cowell(09 of12)
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YEAH, we know he probably can't talk yet but there are still a few months to go until 'X Factor' returns to our screens. We don't have much experience when it comes to teaching babies to talk, but surely Si can shell out on a tutor or something? (credit:Twitter/Simon Cowell)
Emma Willis (10 of12)
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The wonderful Emma is a fan favourite thanks to 'The Voice UK' and 'Celebrity Big Brother'. Could she swap the BBC for ITV? (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Rylan Clark(11 of12)
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Since starring as a hopeful on the show, Rylan has cut his teeth in the presenting world, hosting a regular segment on 'This Morning' and keeping guests in check on 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Khloe Kardashian(12 of12)
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Khloe received mixed reviews when she presented the US version of the show, but we think she could be a hit here in Blighty. (credit:AJM/AJM)