The former host of The X Factor says he believes the TV talent show should take a rest for a year.
Dermot O'Leary, who was dropped from fronting the show in 2015, reckons time off air could help reverse plummeting viewing figures.
O'Leary, who hosted The X Factor for seven years, was replaced by ex-Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs as part of a wide plan to 'freshen up' the show.
In the last series, which saw Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora take up seats at the Judge's Desk, The X Factor was beaten by rival talent show Strictly Come Dancing every single week.
Speaking to Radio Times, Dermot said "If I was Simon I'd take it off air for a year. I would rest it, and then I would get back to the rooms. "For me it was always room, arena, boot camp."
O'Leary also doesn't like how 'cruel' the Six Chair Challenge is, adding “One of the reasons people like ‘Strictly’ is because it is a very warm show, and I think you’ve got to keep that in mind.”
And as for those presenter mistakes during the live shows? Dermot says "You never want other people to fail, but sometimes you need a few cock-ups to remind people it’s a finely honed craft".
"As long as we produce the show to a standard, which the public really, really wants to see... then there is no reason why we can't produce it for years and years and years.”
Under a deal, ITV is contracted to show The X Factor for one more year, but after that it's not clear if it will return as the channel has bought the rights to BBC show ‘The Voice’ from 2017.
