Woman interview
Olly Murs tells how his hectic career has left him no time to find a wife... but he’s already practising childcare
Olly Murs
Pop star olly murs shot to fame as the runner-up on The X
Factor in 2009, going on to become one of the most successful acts to emerge from the show with four no. 1 albums and sell-out uk tours. with Caroline flack, he also co-presented The Xtra
Factor 2011-12 and The X Factor in 2015. olly, who still lives in his native essex, is currently single after dating property developer francesca thomas for three years. Here, he opens up about his single life, his long-term rift with his twin brother ben and how he can’t wait to be a dad.
‘Dating is like playing a game. You have to go through all the emotions, see different people, until you find someone you get on really well with.
But at the moment, I’m not seriously looking, I am just chilling. My love life is pretty average. I’d love to give some gossip but nothing much is happening. But, yes, I am casually dating. A lot of my friends are settled down or getting married but I don’t feel the pressure. I like being with someone, but I am also happy being on my own. The one thing I’m glad I didn’t do is rush into a new relationship when I split from my ex.’
‘I am a workaholic. I’m obsessed with my job and it’s always been difficult in any relationship.
I’m a typical bloke and I can’t do two things at once, so sometimes relationships have taken a back seat. With work, I want to make sure the next decision is the right decision. I will slow down one day, when I am happy with what I’ve achieved.’
‘after my split I needed to get away last year. so I went to los angeles for a change of scenery and to write music.
A lot of my mates have girlfriends so they weren’t around to hang out with. LA was just what I needed. It gave me the appetite to start dating again after Francesca. I love LA. I went for my 33rd birthday in May with two mates and we had a brilliant boys’ holiday in California. Two weeks in the sun! We went hiking in the desert, quad biking, and even to a boot camp! Sometimes in this job, with all the stress and the pressure, you forget how to enjoy it.’
‘I’ve done seven albums in seven years.
So this year it has been all about enjoying myself from a personal perspective, travelling, fitness training, spending time with friends and family, and not worrying about what people think about me. It’s been great to go back to basics too – getting back on stage and doing what I love to do. Ten years ago I was working in a call centre and I am so grateful.’
‘I am a romantic. and I can always tell when a girl is different.
I knew straight away when I first met my ex [Francesca] that she was special. I wanted her to be my girlfriend. I was really into her and I didn’t want to see her on a casual basis and just see what happened – for it to be a bit of a fling. But just because you have
great chemistry and great everything, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are right for each other. Our split was one of those things. I can’t tell when I am going to settle down and get married. I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t predict the future.’
‘Kids are on my agenda and I can’t wait to be a dad one day! but I’m not ready yet.
I’ve still got my career to think about as well. Having a baby is a big responsibility and commitment – I wouldn’t feel right flying off doing my job and not being there with my wife to help out. I do get broody around my nephews, though! My sister Fay’s two boys are a big part of my life and I love them to bits. I am always round there whenever I get the chance to say hello and give them a cuddle. I try not to spoil them too much but it’s hard! Louie turned six over the summer and he is just amazing! Such a great kid, so cheeky and fun. But I am a typical uncle. I love having him in my company but then I like giving him back and going, ‘Off you go! See you later, sis, I’ve looked after him for three hours!’ My second nephew, Quinny [short for Quinntyn], will be two in December and he’s so cute. I’d love to have kids, I really would, but you have to be in the right relationship and the right time. My last relationship I felt could have gone that way but I think my lifestyle unfortunately didn’t allow me to make that commitment.’
‘It’s important for me to keep in good shape.
I need to be when I tour! I play in the reserves team for Coggeshall Town FC in Essex, too, and when we won the championship last year I was so excited I posed starkers with the Cup covering me up and tweeted the picture! It caused a bit of a stir. I love being fit – I’ve got to impress the ladies – and I used to work out in the gym four times a week but now I’m more into my football, and play in the week and at weekends with my mates from home.’
‘The X Factor changed my life but I am still not talking to my twin brother.
[Olly didn’t make Ben’s wedding because he was performing at the show’s semi-finals]. I love my family, and when Ben and I fell out, I felt so alone with it. I thought, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this has happened to us.’ We were such a perfect family. But as time has gone I realise no family is perfect and that every one up and down the country has had an issue or a row at some point. Life can be complicated. At the end of the day, my mum hasn’t got a son and that is the one thing that saddens me most.’
‘I’d love to have kids. I do get broody around my nephews