Dermot O'Leary says X Factor has to 'reinvent' itself

Dermot O'Leary says that criticism over the amount of singing in the new series of The X Factor is "churlish".

There have been concerns over each programme featuring just eight minutes of singing.

Speaking about the new series, Dermot O'Leary said: "The show has got to move on. It's got to reinvent itself every year.

"The singers are there. It's not like they don't turn up or anything." He also commented on future judges.

Currently Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh are on the panel.

However, Mel B could be a potential name for next year after appearing as a guest judge.

"You've got to give the judges that we've got time to crack it," he added.

"I always look at it like a Premier League footballer. You've got to give them six months to bed in."

There has been speculation that Simon Cowell will also return during this series of The X Factor.

Dermot joked that "holograms" are the only way they could get the boss to come back to the programme.

The X Factor presenter was speaking at the GQ Men of the Year awards, where he won most stylish man of the year.

Talking before the ceremony, he rated a "terrific" Benedict Cumberbatch but also had a special mention for his woman of the year.

"I think Clare Balding's just been outstanding," he said.

Dermot O'Leary is presenting his sixth series of The X Factor and it is the show's ninth series overall.

The next episode of The X Factor is on ITV on Saturday (8 September) at 8.10pm.