Ben Shephard has QUIT the Xtra Factor............. ................... ...

Xtra Factor presenter Ben Shephard quit the programme on May 2nd 2007 after missing out on the main presenting job on ITV1.

The 32-year-old, who hosts the show's coverage on ITV2, was upset that Dermot O'Leary landed the job of presenting the main ITV1 show over him.

An X Factor insider said: "Ben had a big chance of being the main presenter on X Factor until he did Soapstar Superstar last year on ITV1.

"He didn't impress some of the X Factor bosses on that live show and moved down the pecking order."

That meant that when Kate Thornton was axed, Ben wasn't considered for the main job. He will now front a reality dancing show at the BBC instead.

ITV and Simon Cowell's production company Syco now have just a few weeks to find another presenter and a fourth judge for the next series, which kicks off in June.

Cowell said: "I wish Ben good luck. He has done a great job on The Xtra Factor."