Olly Murs and Caroline Flack
Olly Murs and Caroline Flack ITV

Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will be the first duo to host the X Factor on ITV, the channel announced on Thursday 16 April.

The pair already know their material, having co-hosted spin-off show The Xtra Factor on ITV2 for two years from 2011.

They will replace long-time host Dermot O'Leary, who announced last month he was leaving the show after eight years and tweeted his congratulations.

Murs also took to Twitter, saying he couldn't wait to start presenting the Saturday night reality show that made him a household name.

He competed in its sixth series in 2009, losing out to winner Joe McElderry, but later going on to sell 13m records.

Murs said he was "incredibly excited and proud" to be returning to The X Factor alongside Flack, while the TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner said she was "beyond excited" to present the show with him.

"To have the privilege of doing this with someone who makes me laugh out loud is a massive bonus," she said.

"I'm also incredibly lucky to have the best tips and support from my showbiz big brother Dermot. I'm not sure how I can live up to his long term residency but I know I can't let him down!"

"When they were on Xtra together, they were a brilliant double act. Since then, Caroline's gone from strength to strength - and Olly has become one of Britain's biggest stars. So now I'm looking forward to them fronting the main show."
- Simon Cowell

"I love the show and it kick-started my career in music which has given me the opportunity to do what I love," said Murs.

"I already have the best job in the world and it's about to get better - I can't wait to get started and be part of finding some amazing new talent."

X Factor's Simon Cowell said he was "absolutely delighted" that the duo would be returning.

"When they were on Xtra together, they were a brilliant double act. Since then, Caroline's gone from strength to strength - and Olly has become one of Britain's biggest stars. So now I'm looking forward to them fronting the main show."

The new series of The X Factor returns to ITV in the autumn.

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