Dermot O'Leary has discussed the reasons behind his shock exit from The X Factor in 2015.
The popular presenter left the ITV reality show before the 12th series and was replaced by Caroline Flack and Olly Murs. He returned the following year.
Speaking to Event magazine, Dermot shared that the lack of certainty surrounding his future on the show at the time was frustrating given the time commitment required.
"When you sign on to The X Factor, it takes nine months of your year," he said. "But at the end of every series, you were left not knowing if your contract was going to be renewed.
"I remember being in Austin, Texas, and still not having heard whether I was going to be doing The X Factor, which would have started in a matter of weeks. I made a call to ITV and was told I might be doing it but I might not."
Dermot said that it was at this moment when he decided to make the call.
Related: The X Factor's Dermot O'Leary reveals the "terrible moment" he almost slipped up on-air
"I'd done eight years there very successfully, and I thought, 'I'm not playing these games anymore," he explained. "So I called ITV and told them to count me out.
"Saying 'no' was the only power I had.
"The following day, I thought, 'Holy shit!', but I decided to do all the things I'd planned but never had the time for.
"I had an idea for a documentary, I had a couple of ideas for children's books I wanted to write, and I wanted to show myself I could live without The X Factor."
The X Factor is expected to return to ITV later this year.
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