Dermot O’Leary could be heading out on the road solo without his This Morning co-host Alison Hammond as he is set to present a new ITV series.
The radio and TV star is reportedly in the early stages of developing his own food and drink travel show exploring Ireland for the network.
Dermot was born and raised in Essex but his parents Sean and Maria originally lived there before moving to England in 1969. His parents have since returned to Ireland three years ago.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Dermot has always been incredibly close to his parents and very proud of his Irish heritage, having spent many a summer holiday back in the Emerald Isle.
‘The show would also see him explore another of his great loves — food and drink. And modern Ireland has plenty of both.
Dermot O’Leary could be heading out on the road solo without his This Morning co-host Alison Hammond as he is set to present a new ITV series
The radio and TV star is reportedly in the early stages of developing his own food and drink travel show exploring Ireland for the network
‘It’s also a cheeky chance to drop in on his parents while he’s over there.’
have contacted ITV and Dermot’s representatives for comment.
The new series is reportedly going to be made by Rock Oyster Media, who are currently filming Take That star Gary Barlow’s South African road trip exploring his love of wine.
It won’t be Dermott’s first time with food as he used to own seafood restaurants Fishy Fishy in Brighton and Poole.
And he will be showing off his baking skills on Sunday as he takes of the Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up 2 Cancer.
The former X Factor presenter will go up against Radio 1 DJ Greg James, singer Mel B and Comedienne Fern Brady in the famous tent.
Dermott said ahead of the appearance: ‘I love cooking. I cook all the time as it relaxes me. I’d love to do more on TV about food.’
The news comes after Dermot and Alison were announced as the stand-in presenters for This Morning while Cat Deeley and Den Shephard enjoy a two-week holiday.
Despite only starting on the daytime show in March as permanent hosts, Cat, 47, and Ben, 49, will be taking a break during the Easter Holidays.
Dermot was born and raised in Essex but his parents Sean and Maria originally lived there before moving to England in 1969. His parents have since returned to Ireland three years ago
A source said: ‘Dermot is very proud of his Irish heritage, having spent many a summer holiday back in the Emerald Isle. The show would also see him explore another of his great loves — food and drink’
It won’t be the first time he shows off his food skills as he will be baking in the famous tent on Sunday as he takes of the Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up 2 Cancer
Former regular hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield would always take the school holidays off, as other presenters stood in during their absence.
This time, Alison Hammond, 49, and Dermot O’Leary, 50, are taking over the show for five days a week until the middle of the month.
Last Thursday, Ben and Cat confirmed they would be absent in the coming weeks as they were going on their ‘holidays’.
Alison and Dermot will take over This Morning for five days a week for two weeks until there return.