Dermot O'Leary will return to host The X Factor

Dermot O'Leary will return to host a sixth series of The X Factor, it has been announced.

The presenter is the latest addition to the line-up for the ITV show, which will be screened later this year.

Simon Cowell said: "Dermot has done a brilliant job for the past five years - he is Mr X Factor."

Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos have already been confirmed to return to the judging panel.

But the fourth seat is still empty, less than a week before the judges head out to see the hopefuls at the auditions.

O'Leary said: "I just love the gig.

"I hope The X Factor 2012 continues to bring a sense of fun to Saturday and Sunday nights and gives the nation a show that they can laugh, cry and sometimes scream at."

Live auditions for the show start in Liverpool next Wednesday (23 May).

Dermot's return will be his sixth series on The X Factor and the show's ninth series overall.