Dermot O’Leary fiercely defends The X Factor against mistreatment allegations after Liam Payne tragedy

Dermot O’Leary has defended The X Factor despite several contestants speaking out about negative experiences (Picture: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/REX/Shutterstock)Dermot O’Leary has fiercely defended The X Factor following years of former contestants alleging mistreatment while appearing on the show.The This Morning presenter, 51, fronted Simon Cowell’s ITV singing contest from 2007 to 2014, later returning to host its final three series until 2018.He replaced Kate Thornton and