The Wex Factor

Dermot and dad pitch up for hurling on Ireland tour

- MARK JEFFERIES

DERMOT O'Leary hits the hurling pitch in Wexford as part of his new TV show.

Dermot's Taste Of Ireland takes the former X Factor host, 51, on a tour of his parents' home country.

He says: "I always say I'm Irish, but I'm not from Ireland.

I was born and raised in Essex and spent half my life in London. But to me, I was as much an Irish boy as an Essex one.

"So coming back here is always magical, especially to this place. Welcome to county Wexford. This is where my family is from, and this is where I went on holiday since I was a kid. It's a very special place to be."