Dermot O'Leary uses BBC Radio 2 show to reflect on Colchester life

In a special Alternative Sounds of the 90s mixtape for BBC Radio 2 to mark Record Store Day, Dermot got nostalgic talking about trips to his favourite Colchester record shops in what he called “a celebration of record shopping in the 90s”.

Speaking in the programme, the radio presenter said: “Our Price, Woolworths, Virgin, HMV.

“Maybe even a pilgrimage to Tower Records, plus thousands of independent stores up and down the country which were rammed every Saturday with us all spending our pocket money or our record vouchers.

Reminiscing - Dermot O'Leary grew up in Colchester (Image: Archant)

“And even if you didn’t have any cash, they were a great place just to spend time, planning what you might buy with your birthday money.”

Dermot opened the show with music from Levellers and Billy Bragg, which he said were “two very happy purchases from Andy’s Records in Colchester”.

He added: “[That was] the place to be on a Saturday afternoon – before a night out which would involve The Hole in the Wall, The Cups, The Marquis, maybe The King’s Head. A little dance in the Arts Centre, then off to Fagin’s Den to hang out with the goths.”

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Who is Dermot O'Leary?

Dermot was born in Colchester in 1973 and he attended St Benedict's Catholic College and Colchester Sixth Form College.

He went on to gain a BA degree in Media and Television and worked as a DJ for BBC Essex.

His career has also included presenting Big Brother's Little Brother, This Morning, Soccer Aid, and the BRIT awards, but he is perhaps best well known for his role as the host of the popular ITV singing competition The X Factor for most of its run.

In March, it was rumoured The X Factor would return to our screens for a one-off charity special, with Dermot fronting the show once again.

Colchester-based Stevi Ritchie, who was a contestant on the series, was also rumoured to be taking part.