O'Leary: 'Simon Cowell frightens me'

Dermot O'Leary has admitted that Simon Cowell "frightens" him on the set of The X Factor.

The TV host was recruited by Cowell in 2007 and recently began filming his third series with the show.

Speaking about his experiences working with the music mogul, O'Leary told Psychologies magazine: "He's quick to tell you if you do something wrong. That never stops being frightening.

"He loves the pantomime of TV. There've been times when I've thought: 'Is he putting it on, or have I actually annoyed him?' I'll be panicking for the next hour."

O'Leary added that the programme's long-running judge has a rebellious side, describing him as "the only person in the world who still smokes in his dressing room".

Last year, it was claimed that Cowell was "fuming" with the presenter after he mocked X Factor "sob stories" during a TV appearance. O'Leary later apologised for his remarks.