Dermot O'Leary praises BB9

Dermot O'Leary has confirmed that he is still a huge fan of Big Brother, despite no longer being associated with the programme.

The TV presenter stood down as the host of companion show Little Brother earlier this year in order to concentrate fully on his X Factor commitments.

"I have followed BB this year," Dermot told We Love Telly magazine. "I think from week two we've all had a good idea of who's going to get to the final. All that show needs is a couple of panto villains and a couple of heroes and it's on to a winner - and that's what it's had."

O'Leary confirmed that he has not tuned in to see how his replacements George Lamb and Zezi Ifore have fared on Little Brother, however.

He said: "I have missed that, but I haven't watched it."

On how he has coped with being away from the franchise, he added: "A little part of me thinks, 'If I'm watching it, why aren't I doing it?'"