Dermot: I still get starstruck (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Dermot: I still get starstruck

12:12am Sunday 12th February 2012 in Cinema © Press Association 2011

Dermot O'Leary has admitted he still finds it daunting interviewing big stars, and often forgets about his own fame.

The X Factor host will be spreading his presenting wings for Live From The Red Carpet: The 2012 Bafta Awards for E! Entertainment.

Alongside his friend and fellow DJ Fearne Cotton, Dermot will interview all the best actor and best actress nominees.

"I've always been a massive film fan, so it's funny I've never done anything professionally with it before," said the Essex-born 38-year-old. "And I've always really enjoyed interviewing actors, although it can be challenging sometimes, especially when you've only got 60 seconds with someone.

"If I can get any time with Clooney or Brad Pitt, then I'm really going to need to keep my cool and I don't think that's possible," he added, chuckling.

He's looking forward to having Fearne alongside him on the red carpet, if only for a bit of moral support. "It's a weird thing, presenting, because you rarely get a chance to co-present with anyone else, unless you're Ant and Dec, you know. You don't want the banter to be forced, so it comes with its own challenges, but I'm really looking forward to it."

Dermot admitted he sometimes forgets how famous he is and still gets a shock when he's recognised.

Take the other week, when he was hosting the National TV Awards and met the cast of that other ITV behemoth, Downton Abbey.

"Loads of them recognised me, which really freaked me out because Downton Abbey is a huge deal. They were like, 'Yeah, we really like The X Factor' and I'm like, 'Really? You're in Downton Abbey!'."

:: Dermot O'Leary co-hosts Live From The Red Carpet: The 2012 Bafta Awards on E! Entertainment Television.