Dermot O'Leary 'angers 'X Factor' bosses'

Dermot O'Leary has reportedly landed himself in hot water with X Factor bosses after commenting on the use of "sob stories" on the programme.

The show's host is said to have stunned a live studio audience as he made his remarks on ITV2 show Celebrity Juice earlier this week.

Speaking about the benefits of being on the post-watershed quiz, O'Leary joked: "It's past 9 o'clock, I can say what I f***ing want. So, I don't care what your dream is. I don't care what you want to sing. And I don't care about your dead relative."

One audience member told The People: "Everyone knew he was talking about X Factor guests who burst into tears and tell terrible life stories before they sing. To make any comment about dead relatives, even in a lighthearted way, is plain stupid."

The newspaper claims that X Factor chief Simon Cowell was "fuming" when he learned about O'Leary's comments.

An insider added: "Producers are really sensitive about claims they are exploiting contestants' bad experiences."

However, an X Factor spokeswoman insisted: "Dermot was making fun of himself. It absolutely wasn't aimed at anyone else and no offence was intended."