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Dermot O’Leary has addressed the criticism The X Factor faced after the tragic death of One Direction star Liam Payne. In a recent interview with The Times, the presenter responded to concerns raised by former contestants about the show’s approach to mental health and contestant welfare.
Following Liam’s death in October, former contestants like Katie Waissel and Rebecca Ferguson criticized the show’s treatment of its participants, particularly in relation to mental health support. Dermot, who hosted the ITV show from 2007 to 2018, acknowledged that not every contestant had a positive experience, but he explained that many of the negative stories came from incidents that occurred after the filming ended.
He noted, “If the show was made now, it’d be made differently. The culture is different, but it was pretty much always celebratory.” Dermot emphasized that while some contestants had difficult journeys, most were treated well during their time on the show. He pointed out that the issues raised by former contestants often occurred after they had left the program.
Dermot also highlighted the importance of addressing aftercare within the entertainment industry. He suggested that many contestants likely missed the unique environment of the show, and any focus on duty of care should address what happens once the cameras stop rolling.
Reflecting on Liam Payne, Dermot described him as both wise and young at heart, adding that the industry needed to have a broader conversation about mental health and support. He expressed his belief that duty of care was always taken seriously during his time on The X Factor and would be handled more thoroughly today.
Liam Payne tragically passed away in October after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Reports suggested he had struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues, and he was reportedly under the influence at the time of his death.
Liam rose to fame in 2010 as part of One Direction, which was formed on The X Factor alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. The group went on to become one of the most successful boy bands in the world.