After umpteen years as the face of The X Factor, you'd think Dermot O'Leary would have to play it pretty neutral when it comes to who his very favourite judge is – but it turns out that's not the case.
The host proved that on his BBC Radio 2 show this morning (November 23) where he made it very clear who he thinks is the "best judge" on the competition and who's team he'd want to join if he ever took part on The X Factor: Celebrity.
And the big winner is... Nicole Scherzinger.
"You’re THE judge. Like if I went on that show and I got in someone else’s category I’d just walk," Dermot told Nicole, who was guesting on his radio show.
"I wouldn’t even be interested because you are by far and away the best judge on that show. Because Simon [Cowell]'s always doing, like, 50 million things, Louis [Walsh]'s not even in the room, and you are the most committed. And you’re fun."
Related: X Factor's Simon Cowell responds to rumours of feud with Little Mix ahead of new show format
What to Read Next
Nicole then took on the role of devil's advocate we thought Dermot would've adopted a little more, telling him: "I think I’ve seen Louis in the room more often."
"I'm only joking. Louis is wonderful but…," he then replied, to which Nicole added: "And I think I've seen Simon a little bit. You know, he's Simon, he's got a million things going on."
The host then said: "Exactly. That’s why I’d want you to be my mentor."
Nicole shared why she thought she was the host's top choice for "best judge", admitting: "I've always been so invested. Like I really care, but this series is so different… I'm there to just uplift them and support them."
The X Factor: Celebrity continues tonight (November 23) on ITV after last week's shock twist.
![LM5 (Deluxe) [Explicit]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1567421078-41jHXD3o1CL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "LM5 (Deluxe) [Explicit]")
Hodder & Stoughtonon The Soundtrack to My Life by Dermot O'Leary
Michael Joseph Our Journey: Rak Su's Official Autobiography
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Sub-editor, Digital Spy
Emily has a BA in Media with a pathway in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and an MA in Film, Television, and Screen Industries from the University of Nottingham. She has worked as a freelance journalist since she was a teenager, and now writes and sub-edits stories about celebrities, TV shows, movies, and lifestyle features.
Emily currently works for Digital Spy and Static Media and has had her work featured in various online and print outlets over the years, including Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Harper's Bazaar, The Inquisitr, Nicki Swift, Women.com, Mirror and Yahoo.
