Dermot O’Leary is being tapped for a new travel show after missing out on the main presenting role on This Morning to Ben Shephard, according to reports.
The affable TV presenter, 50, fronts the ITV daytime show on Fridays alongside Alison Hammond and the duo have been sitting in for Shephard and co-host Cat Deeley over the Easter break.
Now a TV insider has claimed O’Leary could soon have his own travel show taking him back to his roots in Ireland.
Although he was born and raised in Essex, his parents Maria and Sean hail from Wexford and moved to England in 1968.
The couple returned to Ireland three years ago.
O’Leary, a self-proclaimed food lover who used to co-own the Fishy Fishy seafood restaurants in Brighton and Poole, "will be thrilled" if his food-themed travel programme gets the green light.
It's believed to be in the early stages and likely to be produced by Rock Oyster Media, who are currently filming Gary Barlow's South African wine-loving road trip.
They also produce ITV food shows hosted by Ainsley Harriot, Raymond Blanc and Jimmy Doherty.
A source told The Sun: "Dermot has always been incredibly close to his parents and very proud of his Irish heritage, having spent many a summer holiday back in the Emerald Isle.
"The show would also see him explore another of his great loves quality food and drink. And modern Ireland has plenty of both. It's also a cheeky chance to drop in on his parents while he's over there."
The Standard has contacted a representative ITV for comment.
O’Leary will next be seen as one of the stars showing off their baking skills in Channel 4's Great Celebrity Bake Off on Sunday night.
