Presenting Dermot O'Leary - The Biography

Book excerpt: Dermot O'Leary is the man with the dreamy good looks, the relaxed, natural charm and the real-life X-Factor. He's in every top ten of the sexiest men on TV, he's long been called 'head boy in the cool school of British broadcasting' and he's now jostling for the position of star of live, prime time entertainment. But there's a whole lot more to Dermot than talent show, realty TV and Radio 2.In this, the first biography of the famously private star, best-selling author Neil Simpson paints the most complete picture yet of a surprisingly complex man. He reveals the truth about Dermot's life as: *The Essex boy whose heart belongs to Ireland - and who's got the tattoos to prove it. *The hunk who couldn't get a steady girlfriend until he reached his mid-twenties. *The television professional whose first ventures in front of a live audience nearly ended in disaster. *The man about town who sacrificed his social life to become the face of youth TV - and then risked everything when he walked away. *The new lad from T4 who found fame alongside Big Brother - but whose most cherished programme was about Catholic priests. *The laid back charmer whose hidden ambitions have made him a millionaire and could turn him into the new Parkinson.Drawing on the memories of friends and colleagues alike this unique biography covers everything from Dermot's relationships to his religion to his religion, his love of football to the support of his family. Famously hard working and endlessly good-humoured, Dermot O'Leary is the man with the million pound smile. This is his refreshing, surprising and inspirational story.