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Privacy NoticeFormer ITV presenter Kate Thornton is returning to TV with a unique new royal-themed show over a decade after her last hosting stint. The 51-year-old star rose to fame as the original host of The X Factor until she was replaced by Dermot O’Leary after the third series in 2006 – with her reason for being axed not being clear. But she has recently hit out at the reality show, claiming she was asked to lose weight by a television executive while hosting in the early noughties. The broadcaster claimed a producer on the show offered to pay for her to go to a weight loss retreat during her time as a host, despite her already being a slim size eight.
Former X Factor host Kate Thornton says bosses told her to ‘slim down’ when she was a recovery anorexic and a size 8 as she recalls experience ahead of new royal-themed show
(Image: Ken McKay/Shutterstock)
She went on to claim the executive – who she did not name – also proposed she should ‘bleach’ her freckles as they were ‘quite annoying. Kate refused the person’s request due to being a ‘recovering anorexic’. After being axed, Kate went onto appear on This Morning and Lorraine with presenting roles, and in recent years she’s delighted listeners on Greatest Hits Radio. However, she’s not had a regular TV stint as a presenter for 12 years, but now she’s ready for an ITV comeback with her own programme based on the Royal Family. Speaking to Emily Dean on the Walking the Dog podcast about her X Factor experience, she said: “I was a size eight at the time. They offered me an all-expenses paid [trip] to a retreat where I could go and lose weight – and possibly get my freckles bleached because they were, ‘Quite annoying on camera’.” The star, who said she is ‘proud of the way she represented herself’ in the situation, told the executive to ‘go and f*** themselves’ and rejected his suggestion. She continued: “I’m a recovered anorexic. You wouldn’t tell an alcoholic to go and have a drink so they’re more fun with a pint inside them. It’s the same and it’s wrong.”
Kate rose to fame as the original host of The X Factor until she was replaced by Dermot O’Leary after the third series in 2006 – with her reason for being axed not being clear
(Image: Getty Images)
Kate added: “When I say I’m proud of the way I represented myself, that’s why I’m proud of myself It alienated me and it made me an easy target but it also made me, with my shoulders back, someone I could look in the eye and be proud of and that was more important.” Kate’s new fortnightly show, which airs on ITV1 on Sundays at 11.30am this month, gathers together the latest updates on the Royal Family in one place. Kate is joined by experts including newspaper editors and Palace insiders. The series will run for 10 episodes and the hour-long episodes will see Kate will talk to all those in the know about the Royal Family.
Former ITV presenter Kate is now returning to TV with a unique new royal-themed show over a decade after her last hosting stint
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
She said in a statement: “I’m thrilled to be bringing The Royal Beat to ITV and ITVX at a time of incredible change for our Monarchy. On every episode, we’ll be joined by those that work closest with the royal family to bring you genuine insight on the work they do and explore what really happens behind closed doors in the House of Windsor.” She added: “I think viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the family and the machine that sits behind it to better understand why the Royals mean so much to us as a nation.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnThe X FactorRoyal Family
