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'I'M NOT THE RIGHT FIT'

Dermot O’Leary rules himself out of the running for Top Gear job

TV host silenced the rumours called it a 'tough gig' and claimed it was never a job he wanted

X FACTOR host Dermot O'Leary has officially ruled himself out of the running to head Top Gear and called it a "tough gig".

Dermot had been initially rumoured to co-host the show alongside Chris Evans when Jeremy Clarkson had been fired from the hit TV show.

 Dermot called the Top Gear hosting job a 'tough gig'
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Dermot called the Top Gear hosting job a 'tough gig'Credit: PA:Press Association

But the TV host told that it was "not a job [he'd] ever wanted".

He added: "If we're honest, even though I enjoy parts of the show... I don't think I'm the right fit for it."

Dermot further claimed that he was glad he didn't take on the role initially and called Chris Evans a "brilliant broadcaster": "If anyone could have made it work he was going to make it work".

He added that he had never even been asked to do the job: "It's nothing that's ever come from us."

 Dermot claimed that if anyone could have made Top Gear work, it would have been Chris Evans
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Dermot claimed that if anyone could have made Top Gear work, it would have been Chris EvansCredit: PA:Press Association

The TV host is likely to be sceptical about getting behind the wheel of another driving show following his last attempt.

Dermot, who has just signed a record-breaking £8million X Factor contract, had his motoring program written off last month after abysmal ratings.

The presenter fronted flop BBC show 'The Getaway Car' with Top Gear's The Stig which drew in just 2.4million viewers, way below the average 5.6million for the 6pm Saturday night slot.

 The presenter is clearly glad to be back at the X Factor auditions with old pal Louis
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The presenter is clearly glad to be back at the X Factor auditions with old pal LouisCredit: Getty Images

But he will still be able to work for BBC TV and Radio 2, despite his enormous X Factor pay packet.

Unlike Ant and Dec, who are the best-earning TV presenters in the UK, his £8million deal doesn't limit him from working for any other channels.


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