I’m worried already about what I could end up doing in Scotland next year
OLLY MURS ON WHY HE CAN’T STOP POSING NAKED
X Factor favourite reveals why he’s always up for a laugh and why he turned to therapy after his mistake co-hosting the show that made him
SERIAL stripper Olly Murs admits he’s scared at what he’ll do the next time he comes to Scotland. Last year, he caused a social media meltdown when he wore nothing but a mini kilt before his Glasgow Hydro show, dancing in a corridor as a thank you to fans. And given he stripped down to his pants last Friday to celebrate his new album coming out – and in June went starkers to celebrate his Soccer Aid 2018 win – it looks like his fans are in for an eyeful when he plays three dates in Scotland next May. Olly admitted: “I’m worried already about what I could end up doing in Scotland next year. “One of my fans bought the mini kilt and I thought it would be funny to wear it. But wow, I didn’t expect it to blow up so much on social media.” He joked: “I’m one of these people, if you go to another country you want to blend in like one of the locals, so I thought why not put a kilt on and see what happens.” Olly has no qualms about stripping off, quipping that he’s paid a lot of money to get his muscles. He’s also single since splitting from Francesca Thomas and is back on the dating game and any Scots girls could be in luck. “You never know,” grinned Olly. “I’m single until I meet someone. “I love coming to Scotland. I do know if I got out for a night in Scotland, it’s never laid back. There’s always a lot of drinking involved.” Although he’s 34, Olly is in no rush to have a family. He said: “I don’t think the clock is ticking. Of course I’d love to meet someone but it has to be the right person at the right time.” It’s all about the fun for Olly at the moment. Two years after break-up album 24 Hours, his new album You Know I Know is more upbeat. Even the tunes with sad lyrics are “bangers” according to the Essex cheeky chappie.
He said: “The last album was a bit more honest, a bit emotional. This is me being doing happy music again, like I did at the start.”
Next year marks 10 years since Olly became a household name coming second to Joe McElderry on The X Factor.
While the winner has had to fall back on musical theatre, Olly is one of the UK’s biggest stars with four No1 singles and four consecutive No1 albums.
And while he’s hoping his sixth album goes to No1 on Friday, he’s having to battle against Muse’s Simulation Theory for this week’s top spot. Olly said: “I don’t want to think about it too much. It’s a big week and it’s going to be hard.
“It’s been two years since the last album and it’s always a worry because you want to continue the success you’ve created.”
Lucky for Olly, he can balance music with TV work. He’s back next year for his second year as a coach on The Voice UK after knocking back the chance to be a judge on this year’s X Factor.
The TV show that made him has also been possibly his darkest moment.
In 2015, he returned as co-host but during the show accidentally mixed up the judges’ scores, prematurely revealing contestant Monica Michael was going home.
It was a throw-away mistake but he was ridiculed for it and admitted he had therapy to get over it. Olly said: “When I went back to singing, it made me overthink what I was doing. So that was something I needed to speak to a therapist about. And I’m not scared to admit that – that’s the stigma that men have.”
As well as returning to The Voice, he’ll also host Happy Hour with Olly Murs – a one-hour special filmed in his local boozer with guests including his Voice fellow coach Sir Tom Jones.
Olly and Sir Tom make up The Voice line-up with Will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson and it’s clear the four have chemistry.
Olly said: “I had such a great time on The Voice. We honestly all get on so well. Why would I leave after one year?”
While the auditions for The Voice are done, Olly remains tight-lipped on whether there are any Scots. But when he’s asked why he’s survived when so many of his X Factor peers have not, he said: “I’m still the same guy you saw nine years ago on The X Factor. I just want to enjoy myself.”
And after working with Flo Rida on Troublemaker and Snoop Dogg and Nile Rodgers on his new album, he has other big names in his sights to work with.
He said: “I’d love to work with Calvin Harris. I’m met him a few times. He’s a lovely guy and a good laugh. I like to freshen things up with my music and Calvin is the same.
“He’s one of the best in the world. You guys must be so proud of him up in Scotland.”
But would Calvin wear a mini kilt?
● Olly’s album You Know I Know is out now. He plays the BHGE Arena in Aberdeen on May 1 and the SSE Hydro, Glasgow on May 3 and 4, 2019. Tickets from www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk
I’m still the same guy you saw nine years ago OLLY MURS ON HIS CAREER AFTER THE X FACTOR