Dermot O’Leary makes his Irish dad proud as he gets on the pitch in Wexford with the hurling team as part of his new ITV show.

New series Dermot’s Taste Of Ireland sees the former X Factor host back in Ireland where his parents are from and he starts his journey in Wexford where he had family holidays as a child.

He tells the cameras: “I always say I’m Irish, but I’m not from Ireland. I was born and raised in Essex and spent half my life in London. But to me, I was as much an Irish boy as an Essex one. So coming back here is always magical, especially to this place. Welcome to county Wexford. This is where my family is from, and this is where I’ve holidayed since I was a kid [it’s a] very, very special place to be.” After spending time on the beach and at food spots he has a bucket list moment, playing hurling with his father and the stars of the Wexford hurling team.

Dermot as a kid practicing hurling with his dad Sean
Dermot’s dad Sean was a champion hurler and he brings him along for filming alongside local legend Lee Chin. Dermot, 51, says: “Coming back here today is big for me. This is Wexford Park and the game has been a constant in my life. I couldn’t do the show without coming here.”

Players then explain the rules and let Dermot join in a knock about before he serves them some food. After being presented with a hurling shirt, Dermot says: “That was an unforgettable experience for me and to have my dad here was special, I am getting emotional.”

As part of the show, Dermot also picks Wexford strawberries and makes butter. He says: “I’ve spent so much time in Ireland and my mum and dad moved there about seven, eight years ago which definitely cemented that connection. To be able to have this really intense period back over there whilst filming was really lovely. It very much feels like home for me.

“I definitely needed to go to Wexford which is my home county and playing hurling with my dad was also a really big highlight as well, it was wonderful. He’s such a great hurler so that was a really big deal.

“I really hope people watch and fall so in love that they go over there. I want people to see it for themselves.”

Dermot O’Leary and his dad with some of Wexford Hurling Team. ( 
Image:
ITV)

Dermot O’Leary in a Wexford Hurling shirt ( 
Image:
ITV)
Dermot hopes the five part series could return again next year if it is successful. Having opened two of his own fish-themed restaurants and sharing some of his favourite home recipes on ITV’s This Morning, he enjoyed taking his passion on the road whilst exploring Ireland’s ancient landscapes, diverse cities and stunning coastlines.

He also says Ireland has much to offer tourists and he could only show a small part in the time he had. Dermot added: “We only really got to dip our toe. If we were able to do this again, we could then start in Cork and work our way West and North – it’s always nice to be planning where else you would go on a series like this. I really hope if people do take something home from this series, it’s how wonderful Ireland really is.”