Rylan Clark-Neal has said The X Factor needs to “get back to what it was”.

The former contestant, who finished fifth in the 2012 series of the ITV talent show, dismissed the idea the Simon Cowell programme needed “a rest”.

Rylan was asked whether he thought The X Factor should be temporarily taken off the air for a break – an idea which former presenter Dermot O’Leary had suggested last month.

Rylan
(Philip Toscano/PA)

“At the end of the day I don’t think it’s about it being rested, I think it’s about it going back to what it was,” he told the Press Association at a Channel 5 event in central London to celebrate new programming and rebranding of the channel.

“It’s a Saturday night entertainment show, you know. We’ve got The Voice – that’s on BBC One, soon to be ITV, and that’s great for what that is. X Factor’s all about the show and I love a show.”

Rylan also responded to criticism that new presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack had endured from some viewers, following live on-air blunders such as the moment Olly prematurely revealed that contestant Monica Michael had left the competition.

Caroline Flack and Olly Murs
(Ian West/PA)

“Look, I think people need to appreciate how hard it is to present a live show. Especially one that’s that busy. And I think Olly and Caroline did a fantastic job,” Rylan said.

“They’re not bad presenters in the slightest. Remember them on Xtra Factor? They were the two best presenters for that job and they always will be. And making that step to the main show is always going to be hard for anyone after Dermot.”

On whether Louis Walsh, who left the show in 2015 after 11 series as a judge, should be reinstated on the panel, the Big Brother presenter responded: “Bring Louis back. Bring back Louis Walsh. I love Louis! The show is nothing without Louis Walsh.”

Louis Walsh
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Rylan, who has previously stated that he would like to be considered for The X Factor presenting job, clarified his comments by stating that it was not something which was in his plans “at the moment”.

“That is a conversation that would need to be had,” he added. “But I’m so happy at Big Brother – I’ve definitely got no intention of leaving Big Brother.

“It’s the job that changed my life, but of course it would be amazing to go back to X Factor for the memories and go from contestant to that. It’s not in my plans at the moment, but if it was to be able to work it’s something that I would definitely have to sit down and think about.”