Dermot O'Leary publicly praised his wife, director Dee Koppang, on ITV's This Morning on November 13, after she directed three episodes of the Disney+ series Rivals, which launched its second season on November 11.
Opening the live show with co-host Alison Hammond, the pair danced to the a-ha hit Take On Me. The episode was themed around the 1980s and featured guest star Billy Ocean, known for Caribbean Queen and When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going, alongside Celebrity Traitors star Joanne McNally.
Tribute to His Wife's Work
Dermot explained the 80s theme, saying: "We are playing 80s songs today for two reasons; firstly, we've got music icon Billy Ocean in here later," with Alison adding: "I can't believe it." He continued: "Loads of 80s nostalgia this week after the return of hit series, Rivals."
He revealed he had attended the launch of the Disney+ series on Wednesday evening, November 11, with his wife having directed several episodes. Dermot said: "It went well. So my wife has directed the three episodes that are going out now," as Alison remarked: "So proud." He added: "Yeah, I am bursting with pride. So we had her big launch this week, and she absolutely smashed it."
Dee Koppang's Career Highlights
Dermot, 53, is married to film producer and director Dee Koppang, 47. The couple has one son, Kasper, born in 2020. They began dating in 2002, and Dermot proposed in New York City nearly a decade later. They married on September 14, 2012, in a village church ceremony in Chiddingstone, Kent, with Holly Willoughby and Bear Grylls among the guests.
Dee has directed episodes of Netflix hits including Bridgerton and The Crown, as well as The Split, Shipwrecked, and Dating in the Dark. Her other credits range from Victoria's Secret lingerie shows and the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games to music videos for Justin Bieber and One Direction. Most recently, she has helmed episodes of Rivals.
Rivals Season Two Cast and Synopsis
The new season features Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara, David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, Luca Pasqualino as Bas Baddingham, Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, and Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker.
Disney+ shared a synopsis: "Rutshire is rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point. As Tony Baddingham tightens his grip, leaks and buried secrets threaten to destroy families and careers. Declan fights to save Venturer while Rupert confronts difficult truths about love and loyalty." It adds: "Across hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. As corruption at the heart of the franchise battle is finally exposed, Taggie must follow her heart while everyone faces the consequences of ambition, power and the secrets they can no longer hide." This Morning airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
