Fearne: No one can match Leona - Nov 8 2007
Fearne Cotton has admitted she thinks none of the contestants on the X Factor compare to last year's winner Leona Lewis.

The 25-year-old, who hosts ITV2's Xtra Factor, said: "I love Leona, I mean she to me explains why X Factor exists. She was a true talent that was found from nowhere and I think X Factor this year is going to find it very difficult to find someone up to her standard.

"I think this year the competition's different in that it's more entertaining, but I think she's just the most amazing singer and she came on the show the other week and I couldn't believe how great she was - she was amazing."

But the presenter, who hosted the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards, praised opera singer Rhydian for "bringing something so magnificent to stage" and Hope, who she said would relate to kids.

She added: "It's just been different every year, it's not been worse or better and that's why the show does keep going."


Fearne has the Xtra Factor? - May 9 2007
Fearne Cotton is being lined up to replace Ben Shephard as host of the Xtra Factor, according to reports.

The Sun says the pretty 25-year-old has been earmarked by ITV bosses to front the programme after her impressive stint hosting flop Love Island last year.

Ben, 32, quit the ITV2 X Factor spin-off last month amid rumours he was upset at being overlooked in favour of Dermot O’Leary to present the main show on ITV1.

A spokesman for ITV said no decision had been made on his replacement.

"We have not confirmed the host of the Xtra Factor yet and we will make an announcement when we do," he said.

Former Top Of The Pops presenter Fearne worked on the Brit Awards for both ITV1 and ITV2 earlier this year, and impressed with her stints on Comic Relief and Eurovision show Making Your Mind up for the BBC.

She is also working on an ITV1 show with best friend Holly Willoughby, which will see the pair finding dates for Britain’s lonely hearts.

Fearne and Holly to front dating show - April 19 2007
Britain’s singletons look set to get some help finding a date - from TV beauties Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby.

The blonde pair will team up to host a dating show on ITV1, and are looking for lonely hearts aged between 20 and 45.

The project is still in the early stages - filming has not begun and the exact format of the show remains unclear.

But adverts calling for willing lonely hearts have appeared on the internet, offering help for those "fed up with endless dates that amount to nothing".

Fearne, 24, and Holly, 26, are best friends and will be hoping to bring their natural chemistry to the screen.

ITV moved to sign former Top Of The Pops presenter Fearne after she impressed alongside Terry Wogan on Making Your Mind Up, the show to find Britain’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Holly currently fronts Greased Lightnin on ITV2, the spin off show to Grease Is The Word.

Those interested in being on the show should email dates@itv.com or call 0870 242 23 25.

Fearne fronting Oscars red carpet coverage - Dec 19 2006
Fearne Cotton is to host British TV coverage of the Oscars, it was announced.

The 24-year-old will chat to Hollywood stars on the red carpet at the February 25 ceremony, where she will front Sky’s coverage of the event from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.