Simon Cowell hired Olly Murs and Caroline Flack as 'The X Factor' hosts because they fancy each other.

Caroline Flack and Olly Murs

Caroline Flack and Olly Murs

The 55-year-old TV talent show producer thinks the 31-year-old singer and 35-year-old TV presenter - who used to host the ITV2 spin-off show 'Xtra Factor' together - will liven up the ITV show with their sexual chemistry when they replace Dermot O'Leary as hosts.

Simon said: "Olly and Caroline have great chemistry. I think he fancies her, or maybe the other way round, actually.

"Kidding aside, they love the show and they have amazing energy. It's going to be different and that's what we wanted."

The music mogul went on to add that the 'Troublemaker' singer will be a good host as he started out as a contestant on the 'X Factor', coming second to Joe McElderry in series six of the show.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, Simon said: "It helps that Olly has been through the process. The irony was that when he announced it, he was playing in front of 12,000 people. It shows that X Factor can change your life. He's perfect to be in that position.

"Everyone was talking about him being a judge but I always thought the role he would love - because Olly's what I call a 'centre-stage guy' - would be host."