Dermot O'Leary backs Nicole Scherzinger

Dermot O'Leary thinks Nicole Scherzinger will be a "great" host of the US version of 'X Factor'.

The British presenter - who missed out on an opportunity to transfer his job from the UK 'X Factor' to its American counterpart - thinks the 'Don't Hold Your Breath' hitmaker would be a good person anchor on the show but joked it is an "affront" to his own skills a pop star was chosen over him.

He told BANG Showbiz: "I read that she might be host - which is a deep disgrace to my profession! Getting a pop star to do it. No, I think she would be great.

"I don't know anything, I literally don't know anything I'm an old aunt in a care home who no one tells anything. Poor old Aunt Dermot."

Although he is backing Nicole, Dermot did think Ryan Seacrest would be perfect for the job but he can't do it because he is attached to 'American Idol'.

He said: "Who would I like to present it? Well Ryan Seacrest is the best person for those sort of shows but obviously he is contracted to 'American Idol' so he won't do it."

The US version of the show currently only has two judges - Simon Cowell and record producer L.A. Reid - attached, and Dermot believes if Cheryl Cole was to leave the UK show to work on the American one, Lily Allen would be a great replacement.

He added: "I've always thought Lily Allen would be a great judge on the 'X Factor'. Adele would be good, she's great."