LOCAL lad Dermot O’Leary returned to his hometown of Colchester where he promoted the importance of reading to wide-eyed school children.

The television presenter, famed for fronting hit Saturday night show The X-Factor, visited St Thomas More’s Primary School on Tuesday morning.

The 48-year-old author’s stop-off came in support of Essex County Council’s Essex Year of Reading campaign and saw him lead an engaging workshop.

READ MORE: 'I grew up here, it was a no brainer' - Dermot O'Leary launches reading project at Colchester school

During the heart-warming event, the broadcaster turned children’s author read an extract from his new book Toto the Ninja Cat and the Legend of the Wildcat.

He was also asked questions by a room full of excitable young students, who also had a go at drawing Toto, which is named after Dermot’s real feline friend.

Check out our gallery of images showing his visit.