Dermot O'Leary says 'The X Factor' is "like a creche".

Dermot O'Leary

Dermot O'Leary

The talent show host has opened up on the new series, which features proud dad Simon Cowell - who has four-year-old Eric with partner Lauren Silverman - alongside Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field, who have three children together.

Appearing on ITV's This Morning, Dermot joked: "I've just got back from one of the judges houses... and I don't know what I'm allowed to say.

"The new line up is terrific. It feels like you're walking into a creche with all the kids now which is lovely... Robbie is just a born judge!"

The 'Angels' hitmaker - who has Teddy, five, and Charlton, three, with Ayda - welcomed third child Colette 'Coco' Williams into the world earlier this month, and Dermot has praised the couple for settling into the panel, which is completed by Louis Tomlinson.

He explained: "He's very emotionally intelligent and gets people very quickly. Ayda helps manage him! And I think she'll be a really good mentor and she knows she's got a point to prove so she'll really bust a gut.

"Louis has been terrific - there's no substitute with someone who's been there and done it. Up to this point they are all pally pally... and then we get to studio and all that teamwork goes out the window!"

Meanwhile, Dermot also hinted that competition could be tough this year, especially in the girls category.

Without spoiling too much, he teased: "The girls are really good this year."