Olly Murs
Oliver Stanley Murs (born 14 May 1984)[1] is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. He rose to prominence after participating in the sixth series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2009, where he finished as runner-up. Following the show, Murs was signed to RCA Records and Sony Music in the United Kingdom, and Columbia Records in the United States.
Olly Murs
- Singer
- songwriter
- television personality
2007–present
- The X Factor (2009, 2012)
- The Xtra Factor (2011–2012)
- The Voice UK (2018–2023)
- Starstruck (2022–2023)
1
- Vocals
- guitar
- piano
Prior to The X Factor, Murs was a Non-League footballer. In 2010, he released his self-titled debut album, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number two and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The album included the hit singles "Please Don't Let Me Go" and "Thinking of Me". The following year, Murs released his second album, In Case You Didn't Know, which entered the charts at number one and resulted in two number-one singles with "Heart Skips a Beat" and "Dance with Me Tonight". In 2012, he released his third album, Right Place Right Time, and released six singles from it; the first, "Troublemaker", was his fourth number one.
In 2014, Murs released the single "Wrapped Up" featuring Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy, which peaked at number three. This was the first single to be released from his fourth album Never Been Better, which entered the charts at number one. It was followed by a second single, "Up" featuring American singer Demi Lovato. In 2016, he released his fifth album, 24 Hrs, which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, followed by his sixth album, You Know I Know, in 2018. After splitting with RCA Records, Murs released his seventh album, Marry Me, in 2022.
In 2011, it was announced that Murs would return to The X Factor to co-present its spin-off show The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack. In 2015, it was announced that Murs would be reunited with Caroline Flack to replace Dermot O'Leary as co-presenters of The X Factor for series 12. From 2018 to 2023, he was a coach on The Voice UK. In 2022 and 2023, Murs presented Starstruck on ITV.
Early life[edit]
Murs was born on 14 May 1984 in Witham, Essex, the son of Vicky-Lynn and Pete Murs.[2][3] He has a twin brother, Ben, and a sister, Fay. He is of Latvian descent and his great grandparents were Edward and Kathe Murs.[4] He attended Howbridge Junior School in Witham and Notley High School in Braintree, Essex,[5] where he was a striker in the school's football team.
Murs played semi-professionally for Isthmian Division One North side Witham Town between 2006 and 2008. He excelled for the club's reserve team during the 2006–07 season, scoring 12 goals in 13 appearances and winning the Ridgeons Reserve Teams Cup.[6] He made three first team appearances in the following season, scoring once,[7] but was forced to give up his football career following an injury.[8]
Prior to The X Factor, Murs worked at Kitchens Direct as a Telemarketer and then as a recruitment consultant at Prime Appointments in Witham, and performed as part of a covers band called the Small Town Blaggers with a friend, Jon Goodey.[9] He also appeared on the game show Deal or No Deal in 2007, where he won £10.[10] Murs returned for a celebrity version of the show in 2012, which made him the only person to appear on the programme as a contestant twice.[11] In 2008, he travelled to Australia, backpacking alone along the Gold Coast for three months.[12] It was upon his return that he decided, having tried it out unsuccessfully twice in the past (when he failed to make it past the stage where he had to audition in front of the producers), to re-audition for The X Factor again.
Music career[edit]
2009–2011: The X Factor and debut album[edit]
In 2009, Murs auditioned for the sixth series of The X Factor, performing Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". Judge Simon Cowell said it was "the easiest yes I've ever given". At bootcamp Murs sang Elton John's song “Your Song”. On the first live show, he sang "She's the One" and on the second, "A Fool in Love", a performance which Cowell described as being "in a different league." For week three he took on "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". Louis Walsh commented that he was the "dark horse of the competition," and Cowell said he was "coming into his own each week." He frequently employed dance moves in his performance including his trademark "Olly wiggle."[13] In week 4 he sang "Come Together" and again received positive comments, with Walsh predicting, "I think you're in the final three," and Cowell saying he was "progressing better than just about everybody."[14] In week 5 he performed "Twist and Shout" and in week 6 "Don't Stop Me Now", after which he was labelled by Minogue as, "absolutely the best performer we have on the show by far."[15]
In week 7, after a performance of "Fastlove", he was in the bottom two with John & Edward. Cowell and Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue voted to send Murs through to the quarter-final while Walsh voted to send John & Edward through to the quarter-final. Voting statistics revealed that John & Edward received more votes than Murs, meaning that if Minogue (who had the casting vote) sent the result to deadlock, John & Edward would have advanced to the quarter-final and Murs would have been eliminated. To participate in the semi-finals, Murs had to miss his brother's wedding. The ceremony took place just 16 miles (26 km) from the show's studio, but Cowell was against allowing him off for a few hours on the day of the semi-final.[16] He sang "Can You Feel It" and "We Can Work It Out" in the semi-final and ended up as one of the three finalists, breaking down on hearing the result.[17]
Personal life[edit]
Murs lived with his twin brother Ben and parents Vicky and Pete Murs until 2012, when he moved into a five-bedroom house of his own in Toot Hill, Essex. He is an avid supporter of Manchester United and also a supporter and chairman of local side Coggeshall Town.[21]
Olly stated on The Jonathan Ross Show in March 2015 that Ben was estranged from his parents and that the incident stemmed from Murs not being able to attend Ben's wedding because of X Factor commitments.[94]
In 2015, Murs first opened up about ongoing mental health issues, admitting that he turned to alcohol to cope with depression caused by the pressure of a new career during his time on the X Factor tour.[95] In 2016, he experienced anxiety and panic attacks after facing stark criticism about his short-lived career as a presenter for The Xtra Factor. Appearing for a "routine performance" on the Graham Norton Show to promote his new music, Murs was struck with sudden, overwhelming panic, stating his "heart was pounding" and he "couldn't breathe".[96] He continued to experience panic attacks when he was confirmed as a coach for The Voice UK, which led to him seeking therapy to cope with his anxiety.[96] He went on to write the song "Talking to Yourself" about his anxiety and encourages other men to speak up about their mental health.[97]
On 24 November 2017, Murs was caught up in the Oxford Circus panic while shopping in Selfridges, Oxford Street. He was criticised by the police and the media for tweeting false claims about gunshots in Selfridges, and for alleging in April 2018 that the police had covered up a terrorist attack in the shop.[98][99]
On 4 June 2022, Murs announced that he was engaged to his girlfriend Amelia Tank.[100] They married on 15 July 2023.[101] On 6 December 2023, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.[102] On 17 April 2024, the couple announced that their daughter Madison had been born.[103]