Dermot O’Leary has opened up about being a father to a toddler and how becoming a parent has changed his priorities.
The television presenter, 50, lives in London with his wife Dee Koppang O’Leary and their son Kasper, three.
Speaking to The Times, he explained how much energy is required to keep up with his young son, saying it can be ‘full-on’.
Dermot said: ‘I turned 50 this year and being a dad to a three-year-old can be full-on. A mate who had twins just before Kasper arrived told me, “Don’t worry about how old you are, just make sure you stay in shape.” And he’s right. I took Kasper to the RAF Museum the other week and it was like an Olympic sprint, dashing from one exhibit to the next. As soon as we came out he said: “Can we go round again?”’
He went on to describe his love of family time, saying that the daily tasks of changing nappies or playing silly games were the best part.
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Candid: Dermot O’Leary has opened up about being a father to a toddler and how becoming a parent has changed his priorities (pictured this month)
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Parents: The television presenter, 50, lives in London with his wife Dee Koppang O’Leary and their son Kasper, three (pictured in February)
He explained: ‘Dee’s work means that we’re not always together but, those evenings when we are, we make the most of spending proper time together as a family. I can’t understand those parents who don’t enjoy changing nappies or crawling around on the carpet pretending to be a racing car. Isn’t that the absolute joy of being a parent?’
Dermot added that his priorities in life had shifted with the birth of his son, from his material needs to how he wants to spend his spare time.
He said: ‘Having a child has changed what I want from life and what makes me happy. Do I need another car? The latest gadget? A bit of vintage Van Morrison vinyl? No, forget the material stuff. What I want is to be with the people I love. Being a dad puts the world in perspective.’
Dermot revealed that his wife Dee had given birth to their first child in an Instagram post in June 2020
Posting a sweet photo of a personalised babygrow, he wrote: ‘Welcome to the world baby Koppang O’Leary… We’re delighted to announce that we’ve had a baby!
‘A little boy born on Tuesday 23rd June 2020 (Sankthansaften / Midsummer for you Norwegians) at 8.19am, weighing in at 6lb 13oz.
‘Enjoying the cuddles in the newborn bubble… cats yet to be 100% convinced. Lots of love, Dermot & Dee x.’
The couple first met in 2002 when they worked for the same TV production company and got engaged in New York in December 2011, before tying the knot the following year.
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Baby joy! Dermot revealed that his wife Dee had given birth to their first child in an Instagram post in June 2020, by posting a sweet photo of a personalised babygrow
It comes after Dermot returned to presenting This Morning on Friday after his summer holiday break.
However, upon greeting his co-host Alison Hammond, she accidentally left a make-up stain all over his T-shirt.
Welcoming Dermot back to the show the pair embraced as Alison exclaimed that she felt she had ‘her warm blanket next to me’.
However as Dermot pulled away the star noticed the accident as she pointed at his shoulder which was stained with a smear of Alison’s foundation.
‘Oh no, oh no,’ Alison exclaimed, while Dermot cried ‘Already!’
‘It’s a Hammondater’ the star joked before apologising for the unfortunate stain on his pale cream top.
‘I’m sorry, why do you always squeeze into me?’ she asked before continuing her apologies, ‘I’m so sorry, I saw it straight away.’
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Welcome back! It comes after Dermot returned to presenting This Morning on Friday after his summer holiday break
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Oops! However, upon greeting his co-host Alison Hammond , she accidentally left a make-up stain all over his T-shirt
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