Olly Murs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olly Murs
Murs in 2016
Born	Oliver Stanley Murs (1984-05-14) 14 May 1984 (age 41) Witham, Essex, England
Education	Notley High School
Occupation	Singer songwriter television personality
Years active	2007–present
Television	The X Factor (2009, 2015) The Xtra Factor (2011–2012) The Voice UK (2018–2023) Starstruck (2022–2023)
Spouse(s)	Amelia Tank ​ (m. 2023)​
Children	1
Musical career
Genres	Pop ska disco
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Epic Syco Columbia RCA UK Sony Music UK EMI

Oliver Stanley Murs (born 14 May 1984) is a popular English singer and TV star. He became famous after being the runner-up on the TV talent show The X Factor in 2009. After the show, Olly signed with major record labels like RCA Records and Sony Music.

In 2010, Murs released his first album, Olly Murs. It quickly reached number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album featured hit songs like "Please Don't Let Me Go" and "Thinking of Me". His second album, In Case You Didn't Know (2011), went straight to number one in the UK. It included two more number-one singles: "Heart Skips a Beat" and "Dance with Me Tonight". Olly's third album, Right Place Right Time (2012), also did very well. Its first song, "Troublemaker", became his fourth number-one hit in the UK.

In 2014, Murs released "Wrapped Up" with Travie McCoy from Gym Class Heroes. This song topped the UK Singles Chart. It was the first single from his fourth album, Never Been Better (2014), which also hit number one. Another popular song from this album was "Up", featuring American singer Demi Lovato. After his fifth album, 24 Hrs (2016), Olly released his sixth album, You Know I Know (2018). He later signed with EMI Records and released his seventh album, Marry Me (2022).

Besides music, Murs has been a big part of TV. In 2011, he co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack. They later co-hosted The X Factor itself in 2015. From 2018 to 2023, Olly was a coach on the TV talent show The Voice UK.

Early Life and Football

Olly Murs was born on 14 May 1984 in Witham, Essex, England. His parents are Vicky-Lynn and Pete Murs. He has a twin brother, Ben, and a sister, Fay. Olly went to Howbridge Junior School and Notley High School in Braintree, where he was a great football player for the school team.

Before becoming famous, Olly played semi-professional football for Witham Town from 2006 to 2008. He was very good for the reserve team, scoring 12 goals in 13 games in one season. He also played a few times for the first team. However, he had to stop playing football because of an injury.

Before The X Factor, Olly worked as a recruitment consultant. He also performed in a band called the Small Town Blaggers. In 2007, he appeared on the game show Deal or No Deal, where he won a small amount of money. He even went backpacking alone in Australia for three months in 2008. When he came back, he decided to try out for The X Factor again, after two previous attempts didn't work out.

Music Career Highlights

The X Factor Journey (2009)

In 2009, Olly Murs auditioned for The X Factor by singing Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". Judge Simon Cowell was very impressed and said it was "the easiest yes I've ever given". Throughout the competition, Olly impressed the judges with his singing and dance moves, including his famous "Olly wiggle".

He sang many popular songs, like "She's the One" and "A Fool in Love". Judges often praised his performances, with Louis Walsh calling him the "dark horse of the competition". In the semi-finals, he sang "Can You Feel It" and "We Can Work It Out", making it to the final three.

Olly Murs performing on The X Factor tour in 2010

In the final, Olly sang "Superstition" again and performed a duet of "Angels" with Robbie Williams. He also sang "Fool in Love" one more time. For his final performance, he sang "The Climb". Although he lost to Joe McElderry and finished as the runner-up, his journey on the show was very successful. After the show, Simon Cowell offered him a record deal. Olly also joined other finalists on The X Factor tour.

First Album Success (2010-2011)

After The X Factor, Olly signed a record deal with Epic Records and Syco Music. He started working with famous songwriters and producers. His first single, "Please Don't Let Me Go", was released in August 2010. Olly co-wrote the song, which is about a past relationship. The song was a big hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Charts.

Murs performing songs from his first album in 2012

His first album, Olly Murs, came out in November 2010. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 108,000 copies in its first week. The second single from the album was "Thinking of Me", which reached number four in the UK. Two more singles, "Heart on My Sleeve" and "Busy", were released in 2011. Olly went on a theatre tour for his album and also supported the band JLS on their summer stadium tour.

Second Album: In Case You Didn't Know (2011)

In 2011, Olly began working on his second album. He wanted to create a more "soulful" sound. The first single from this album was "Heart Skips a Beat", featuring the rap duo Rizzle Kicks. Olly described it as a fun "summer party song". The song was very popular and became his second number-one hit in the UK. It also did well in other European countries.

In September 2011, Olly announced that his second album would be called In Case You Didn't Know. The second single, "Dance with Me Tonight", was released in November 2011 and also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. The album itself came out a week later and topped the UK Albums Chart. The third single from the album was "Oh My Goodness", released in April 2012.

Third Album: Right Place Right Time (2012-2013)

Murs performing at the 2013 Gibraltar Music Festival

Olly started writing his third album in 2012. He worked with familiar songwriters like Steve Robson and Claude Kelly. In September, he announced the first single, "Troublemaker", which featured American rapper Flo Rida. This song was released in November and became a huge hit, reaching number one. He also announced that his third album would be called Right Place Right Time.

Olly went on an arena tour in the UK and Ireland in 2013 to support the album. He also performed in Europe for the first time. The second single from the album was "Army of Two", followed by "Dear Darlin'" and the album's title track, "Right Place Right Time".

Olly also supported the boy band One Direction on their North American tour in 2012. He also joined Robbie Williams on his Take the Crown Stadium Tour in 2013, where they sang a duet. In November 2013, Olly released a special re-packaged version of Right Place Right Time, which included new songs like "Hand on Heart".

Never Been Better and 24 Hrs (2014-2017)

In 2014, Olly began working on his fourth album. He collaborated with artists like Demi Lovato. In September, he announced the album would be called Never Been Better. It was released in November and went straight to number one in the UK. The first single, "Wrapped Up", reached number three. The second single, "Up", featuring Demi Lovato, reached number four.

In 2015, Olly released a Christmas EP called Unwrapped. He also had a waxwork figure unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Blackpool. The third single from the album was "Seasons", and the fourth was "Beautiful to Me". In October 2015, a special edition of Never Been Better was released, including extra songs and a tour DVD.

In 2016, Olly started working on his fifth album. The first single, "You Don't Know Love", was released in July. In September, he announced his fifth album would be called 24 Hrs, released in November. He also announced a tour for 2017. In June 2017, he released a song called "Unpredictable" with Louisa Johnson.

You Know I Know and Marry Me (2018-Present)

Olly began working on his sixth album in 2018. In October, he announced it would be a double album called You Know I Know. One disc had new songs, and the other had his past hits. The first single from this album was "Moves", featuring Snoop Dogg.

In February 2022, Olly left his record label RCA Records. On 7 October 2022, he released the single "Die of a Broken Heart". He also announced his "Marry Me Tour" for 2023.

Other Work

Olly Murs has been involved in many other projects. In 2011, he was the first artist confirmed to play at Capital FM's Jinglebell Ball. He won "Best Male Artist" at the BT Digital Music Awards and "Best Album" for Olly Murs at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards. He also supported Gary Barlow at his concerts, performing the Take That song "Shine" together.

In 2012, Olly performed at various events like the 'Big Gig' in Birmingham and a charity concert for Sport Relief at The O2 Arena. He won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for "Favourite British Male Artist". A three-part documentary called Olly: Life on Murs showed his UK Arena Tour. He also performed at T in the Park and V Festival.

Olly loves football and supports Manchester United. He has appeared on sports TV shows and radio. He even played for Coggeshall Town in 2016. He released a DVD called "Olly Murs: 7 Deadly Sins of Football", which looked at famous moments in Premier League matches. In 2013, he became an FA150 Ambassador for The FA's 150th anniversary.

Olly has also done some modelling, including for Robbie Williams' clothing brand Farrell. He released an illustrated autobiography called Happy Days in 2012. In 2013, he guest-starred in an episode of the American TV series 90210, performing his songs. He also returned to The X Factor as a guest mentor. In 2014, he joined Band Aid 30 to record a charity single. He released a second book, On The Road, in 2015.

In 2017, Olly became a coach on The Voice UK, staying for several seasons. In 2021, he started presenting an ITV talent show called Starstruck.

Charity Work

Olly Murs is very active in charity work. In 2011, he took part in the BT Charity Trek for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day campaign, walking 100 km in the Kaisut desert in Kenya. He won £10,000 for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He also appeared on a celebrity edition of Deal or No Deal, winning 50p for Brainwave, a charity for children with brain conditions.

Olly has played football for England in charity matches for Soccer Aid at Old Trafford multiple times (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016). He is also a patron for the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity and the Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity, which grants wishes to seriously ill children. In 2021, Olly organized "Climb for Caroline", a mountain climb to raise money for the mental health charity Samaritans, in memory of Caroline Flack.

Presenting Roles

Olly Murs has had several presenting roles. In 2011, he filled in for Comedy Dave Vitty on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio 1. He also presented Celebrity Club Classics shows on Heart FM. From 2011 to 2012, he co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack. He later left the show to focus on his music.

In 2014, Olly co-presented World Cup's 50 Greatest Moments on BBC Three with Rio Ferdinand. He also had his own ITV special, A Night In With Olly Murs, where he performed songs and did pranks. He reunited with Caroline Flack to co-present Christmas and New Year's Eve radio shows on Magic.

In 2015, it was confirmed that Olly and Caroline Flack would take over as presenters of The X Factor. They hosted the twelfth series before leaving in 2016. They also co-presented the ITV Christmas telethon Text Santa in 2015. In 2018, Olly hosted an ITV special called Happy Hour with Olly Murs, featuring many celebrity guests.

Acting Roles

In 2019, Olly Murs started acting by voicing Spike the Doberman in a special episode of the Disney Channel series 101 Dalmatian Street. He also made his voice acting film debut in Spies in Disguise.

Personal Life

Olly Murs lived with his parents and twin brother until 2012, when he moved into his own house in Toot Hill, Essex. He is a big fan of Manchester United football club and is also the chairman of his local team, Coggeshall Town.

Olly has spoken about dealing with challenges in his career, especially after facing criticism as a TV presenter. He found therapy helpful and wrote a song called "Talking to Yourself" about his experiences, encouraging others to talk about their feelings.

On 4 June 2022, Olly announced his engagement to his girlfriend Amelia Tank. They got married on 15 July 2023. In December 2023, they shared that they were expecting their first child. Their daughter, Madison, was born on 17 April 2024.

In January 2024, Olly was featured on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?. This show explored his family history, revealing his Latvian ancestors.

Discography

• Olly Murs (2010)
• In Case You Didn't Know (2011)
• Right Place Right Time (2012)
• Never Been Better (2014)
• 24 Hrs (2016)
• You Know I Know (2018)
• Marry Me (2022)
• Untitled eight album (2025)

Concert Tours

Headlining Tours

• The Olly Murs Tour (2011)
• In Case You Didn't Know Tour (2012)
• Right Place Right Time Tour (2013)
• Never Been Better Tour (2015)
• 24 Hrs Tour (2017)
• You Know I Know Tour (2019)
• Best Hits Summer Tour (2021)
• Marry Me Tour (2023)
• 15 Years of Hits - Live 2025 (2025)

Supporting Tours

• JLS's Outta This World tour (UK leg) (2011)
• One Direction's Up All Night Tour (USA leg) (2012)
• Robbie Williams's Take the Crown Stadium Tour (2013)
• Take That's This Life on Tour (2024)

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards

BRIT Awards

Ivor Novello Award

MTV Europe Music Awards

UK Music Video Awards

Goldene Kamera Awards

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

See also

In Spanish: Olly Murs para niños