Comedian Matt Richardson joins Caroline Flack for the Xtra Factor

Caroline Flack is returning for her third series of The Xtra Factor but its farewell to Olly Murs as the show has a brand new co-host in the form of young comedian Matt Richardson.

Caroline will host the new series alongside 21 year old Matt, a successful stand-up comic who has been performing on the comedy circuit for the past two years and has featured on shows such as E4’s The Body Shocking Show and MTV’s The Geordie Shore Awards.

 Speaking about his new role, Matt says: “I cannot describe how excited I am to be joining The Xtra Factor. Working with Caroline and the rest of the team will be an incredible experience and I will do my best to be as good as I possibly can, because I’m never going to be as gorgeous as Olly Murs”

Matt takes over from platinum selling musician Olly Murs who has stepped down from the show to focus on his music.

ATV Today critic Queenie says, “Its great isn’t it? ITV hiring someone based on talent rather than being famous for nothing or has spent years at uni to get a bit of paper saying they’re a good presenter – when usually they’re not. Its rather nicely going back to the days when TV plucked talent fresh from the theatres and comedy clubs. Let’s have more of it!”

Each week Caroline and Matt will be going behind-the-scenes, bringing viewers all the gossip on talent supershow The X Factor. They will be showing unseen auditions and have unprecedented backstage access to the judges Sharon Osbourne, Gary Barlow, Nicole Sherzinger and Louis Walsh, as well as host Dermot O’Leary.

 Talking about her new partner in crime, Caroline says: “I’m really excited to be hosting Xtra Factor for the third year! Of course I’m going to miss Olly every day, but I am very proud that his music is doing so well all around the world. I really feel that Matt will bring something completely different to the show. He’s a real find, he makes me laugh and it’s great to introduce new talent. I can’t wait to get started.”

The X Factor and The Xtra Factor return to ITV and ITV2 this autumn.