Rylan Clark-Neal will be returning to the X Factor as a co-host of ITV2′s The Xtra Factor.

He will present the TV series alongside recently announced Radio 1 DJ and television host Matt Edmondson

The 27-year-old was a finalist on the popular reality TV singing show in 2012.

Rylan Clark-Neal (Ian West/PA)
Rylan Clark-Neal (Ian West/PA)

He said: “After four years of doing my thing it’s finally time for me to go back to where it all began but this time as a HOST of Xtra! I’m thrilled to be part of The X Factor once again and even more excited at the thought of knowing I won’t be in the bottom two each week!

Matt Edmondson on the red carpet
Matt Edmondson (Ian West/PA)

“I can’t wait to get working with Matt and finally find our niche as the odd looking Ant and Dec. I’m so excited to work alongside the judges and Dermot and over the moon to be sharing the coming months with my Nicole as a fully-fledged Scherzy boy once more. Watch out Simon … I’m back!”

He was part of judge Nicole Scherzinger’s boys group and famously sobbed on TV on finding out she had chosen him to go through to the live stages of the competition.

This year he landed his own Channel 5 talk show, Up Late With Rylan and has continued to present Big Brother’s spin off show, Bit on the Side.

The Xtra Factor format will change this year and will be hosted live from the first episode.

The change means viewers will be able to react to each programme immediately after the audience has seen it.

ITV’s head of entertainment, Siobhan Greene said: “Rylan was one of the biggest personalities we have ever had on The X Factor, and made a huge impression with his infectious personality and showmanship.

“It was surely only a matter of time before he took the helm of a show that he was born to present. We’re chuffed to bits and can’t wait to watch the all new live The Xtra Factor presented by Rylan and Matt.”

The X Factor judging panel this year sees old favourite’s joining Simon Cowell as he welcomes back Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne.

The X Factor and The Xtra Factor will return this autumn on ITV and ITV2