People are only just learning Dermot O’Leary’s real name after This Morning confession

This Morning viewers have been left gobsmacked after learning Dermot O’Leary’s real name.

The former X Factor host, 51, made the shocking admission on Monday’s edition of the ITV programme, even surprising his co-host Cat Deeley.

Kicking off the show, Cat, 48, asked if Dermot had a middle name, to which he replied that Dermot was in fact his middle name.

‘My first name is Sean, Sean Dermot O’Leary,’ he revealed.

Taken aback, Cat replied: ‘Your first name is Sean? How did I not know that?’

Viewers were thinking the same thing, with several taking to X to share their surprise.

‘Thanks mum and dad,’ Dermot quipped, asking if Cat’s husband’s first name was really Patrick.

Dermot O’Leary has revealed his real name (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Even Cat Deeley was shocked! (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

He went on to explain: ‘Well normally, if you’re born in Ireland or if you have Irish parents, they Christen you something, and then they call you something totally different.

‘So, I am Sean Dermot, but I’ve only ever been called Dermot. But I’m officially Sean Dermot.’

The TV presenter went on to reveal that the two different names have caused him trouble, as a passport office mix-up left him with both Dermot and Sean Dermot on different passports.

‘As you can imagine, for legal reasons, is quite confusing!’

Dermot is actually called Sean (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Sharing their shock on X, viewer Chloe wrote: ‘I’m sorry?! Dermot O’Learys real name is Sean?! How are we only just learning this!’

‘Plot twist, Dermot O’Leary is actually named Sean,’ Grant said.

‘So where did the name Dermot come from then,’ Sue asked, with Zoe explaining in response: ‘It’s his middle name.’

Dermot has previously spoken about his upbringing after his parents moved from Ireland to Essex in 1968.

Dermot was brought up in Essex after his parents moved from Ireland (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

‘There wasn’t a real plan,’ he said, adding that his parents’ lives ‘revolved around Church, hurling and the Irish community there’.

He continued to The Irish Times: ‘There was a tight-knit Essex community. Every time I shut the door, however, I was very much in an Irish household – lots of crucifixes on the wall and Irish music playing.

‘Politics and religion were always the topics of discussion when we sat down to eat dinner.

‘We didn’t have much money, but we had so much love and laughter.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

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