X-Factor host Dermot O’Leary blamed the Colchester traffic as he kept his fans waiting nearly an hour at a book signing.

The TV host, 41, is signing copies of A Soundtrack To My Life, at Tesco, in Highwoods Square, Colchester, this evening.

The former St Benedict’s Catholic College pupil was due to arrive at 5pm, but it was nearly 6pm when he arrived at the store.

Addressing the hundreds of waiting fans, he said: “I’m so sorry I’m late - the traffic from London just killed me and I forgot how bad Colchester traffic was!”

Dermot’s late arrival did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of waiting fans, with crowds queueing in their hundreds to meet him.

His book is a music-based look back at his life, which includes recollections of his life growing up in Colchester.

Full story in Tuesday's Daily Gazette