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 R&B
Labels	Epic Syco Columbia RCA UK Sony Music UK EMI

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

In 2010, Olly released his first album, Olly Murs. It quickly reached number two on the UK charts and sold many copies. This album included popular 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 featured two number-one hits: "Heart Skips a Beat" and "Dance with Me Tonight". Olly's third album, Right Place Right Time (2012), also had a number-one song called "Troublemaker".

In 2014, Olly released "Wrapped Up" with Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy, which topped the UK charts. This song was 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. He then released his fifth album, 24 Hrs (2016), and his sixth, You Know I Know (2018). After changing record labels, Olly released his seventh album, Marry Me (2022).

Olly Murs also has a big career in television. In 2011, he co-hosted The Xtra Factor, a spin-off show of The X Factor, with Caroline Flack. They later co-hosted the main The X Factor show in 2015. From 2018 to 2023, Olly was a coach on the TV talent show The Voice UK.

Olly Murs' Early Life

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. Part of his family comes from Latvia. His great-grandparents were circus performers.

Olly went to Howbridge Junior School and Notley High School in Braintree, where he was a good football player. He played semi-professionally for Witham Town from 2006 to 2008. He scored many goals for the club's reserve team. He had to stop playing football because of an injury.

Before The X Factor, Olly worked in sales. He also performed in a band called the Small Town Blaggers. In 2007, he appeared on the game show Deal or No Deal and won £10. He later returned for a celebrity version of the show in 2012. In 2008, he traveled alone to Australia for three months. When he came back, he decided to try out for The X Factor again, after trying twice before without success.

Music Career Highlights

Starting with The X Factor

In 2009, Olly Murs auditioned for The X Factor by singing Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". Judge Simon Cowell was very impressed. During the show, Olly often used dance moves, including his famous "Olly wiggle." He received many positive comments from the judges.

Olly Murs performing on The X Factor tour in 2010

In the semi-finals, Olly had to miss his brother's wedding. Simon Cowell did not want him to leave the show's studio. Olly made it to the final three. In the final, he sang "Superstition" again and performed a duet with Robbie Williams on "Angels". He also sang "Twist and Shout". Olly finished as the runner-up, losing to Joe McElderry. After the show, Robbie Williams invited Olly to his home in Los Angeles. Olly also joined The X Factor tour with other finalists.

First Album Success

After The X Factor, Olly signed a record deal with Epic Records and Syco Music in February 2010. He started working with famous songwriters and producers. His first single, "Please Don't Let Me Go", was released on 27 August 2010. Olly co-wrote the song, which is about a past relationship. The song went straight to number one on the UK Singles Charts.

Murs performing songs from Olly Murs in 2012

His first album, Olly Murs, came out in November 2010. It reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and was the best-selling debut album of 2010. The second single from the album was "Thinking of Me", which reached number four in the UK. Olly also performed at Christmas light switch-on events. He donated his fee from one event to charity. Two more singles, "Heart on My Sleeve" and "Busy", were released in 2011. Olly went on a theatre tour for his first album and also supported the group JLS on their summer tour.

Second Album: In Case You Didn't Know

In June 2011, Olly started working on his second album. He wanted to try a more "soulful" sound. He also hoped to record with Robbie Williams. The first single from this album was "Heart Skips a Beat", featuring the rap duo Rizzle Kicks. Olly called it a "summer party song." The song became his second number-one hit in the UK. It also did well in other European countries.

In September 2011, Olly announced 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 in the UK. The album itself came out a week later and topped the UK Albums Chart. The third single, "Oh My Goodness", was released in April 2012.

Third Album: Right Place Right Time

Murs performing at the 2013 Gibraltar Music Festival

Olly began writing his third album in April 2012. He worked with familiar songwriters like Steve Robson and Claude Kelly. On 17 September, he announced the first single, "Troublemaker", which featured American rapper Flo Rida. This song was released in November and was also Olly's second single in the US. On the same day, he announced the album title: Right Place Right Time.

Olly went on a big arena tour in the UK and Ireland in early 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 opened for the boy band One Direction on their North American tour in 2012. He also supported Robbie Williams on his Take the Crown Stadium Tour in 2013 and sang a duet with him. In September 2013, Olly announced a new version of Right Place Right Time with extra songs. He also sang "I Wan'na Be Like You" with Robbie Williams for his album Swings Both Ways.

Later Albums: Never Been Better and 24 Hrs

Olly started working on his fourth album in 2013. He collaborated with artists like Demi Lovato. In September 2014, he announced the album would be called Never Been Better. It was released in November and went to number one in the UK. The first single, "Wrapped Up", reached number three. The second single, "Up" with Demi Lovato, reached number four.

In 2015, Olly released "Seasons" and "Beautiful to Me" as singles. He also released a Christmas EP called Unwrapped. A wax figure of Olly was put in Madame Tussauds in Blackpool in March 2015.

In 2016, Olly began 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 24 Hrs, released in November. He also announced a tour for 2017. In June 2017, he released "Unpredictable" with Louisa Johnson.

Recent Music: You Know I Know and Marry Me

Olly started working on his sixth album in 2018. In October 2018, 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, "Moves", featured Snoop Dogg. This album was made to share new music and popular songs from his earlier albums.

In February 2022, Olly left his record label RCA Records. On 7 October 2022, he released "Die of a Broken Heart". He also announced the Marry Me Tour for 2023. His album, Marry Me, was released on 2 December 2022 and reached number one.

On 7 May 2023, Olly performed at King Charles III's Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. In 2025, during his "15 Years of Hits Tour", Olly performed a new song called "Save Me" from his upcoming eighth album. He later announced that "Save Me" would be released in July 2025.

Other Work and Activities

Olly Murs has done many other things besides music. He has appeared on TV shows and radio. In November 2011, he won "Best Male Artist" at the BT Digital Music Awards. He also won "Best Album" for Olly Murs at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards. In December 2011, he supported Gary Barlow at his concerts and they sang together.

In March 2012, Olly performed at the 'Big Gig' in Birmingham. He also performed at a charity concert for Sport Relief. In April, he won a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for "Favourite British Male Artist". A three-part TV show called Olly: Life on Murs followed him on his UK tour. Olly also performed at T in the Park and V Festival.

Olly loves football and supports Manchester United. He often appears on sports TV and radio shows. In April 2016, he started playing for Coggeshall Town. He also released a DVD about football called "Olly Murs: 7 Deadly Sins of Football". In January 2013, he became an ambassador for The FA (Football Association).

Olly has also done some modelling, including for Robbie Williams' clothing brand, Farrell. He released a book about his life called Happy Days in October 2012. In January 2013, Olly appeared in an episode of the American TV show 90210, where he performed his songs. In October 2013, he returned to The X Factor as a guest mentor for judge Gary Barlow.

In November 2014, Olly joined the charity group Band Aid 30. In March 2015, he announced a second book called On The Road. In October 2017, Olly became a coach on The Voice UK. He was a coach for six seasons until 2024. Since March 2024, Olly has hosted a national radio show with Mark Wright on the Heart Radio network every Saturday.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Olly Murs has supported many charities. In February 2011, he took part in a charity trek in Kenya for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day campaign. He walked 100 km in very hot weather. In April 2011, he won £10,000 for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He also appeared on a celebrity Deal or No Deal episode, winning 50p for Brainwave, a charity for children with brain conditions.

Olly has played football for England in charity matches for Soccer Aid several 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 June 2021, Olly organized a mountain climb called "Climb for Caroline" to raise money for the mental health charity Samaritans, in memory of Caroline Flack.

TV Presenting Roles

Olly has also worked as a TV presenter. In April 2011, he filled in for Comedy Dave Vitty on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio 1. He also presented a Celebrity Club Classics show on Heart FM. In May 2011, it was confirmed that Olly would co-present The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack. He returned to the show full-time in October 2012. In April 2013, Olly left The Xtra Factor to focus on his music.

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

In April 2015, it was announced that Olly and Caroline Flack would take over as presenters of The X Factor. They hosted the twelfth series. However, in February 2016, they confirmed they would not return. In December 2015, Olly and Caroline also presented the ITV Christmas telethon Text Santa. In April 2021, it was announced that Olly would present an ITV talent show called Starstruck.

Acting Appearances

In 2019, Olly Murs started acting by voicing Spike the Doberman in the Disney Channel series 101 Dalmatian Street. He also voiced Junior Agent #1 in the animated movie Spies in Disguise.

Olly Murs' Personal Life

Olly Murs lived with his twin brother Ben and parents 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 facing mental health challenges, especially early in his career. He has encouraged other men to talk about their feelings.

On 4 June 2022, Olly announced he was engaged to his girlfriend Amelia Tank. They got married on 15 July 2023. On 6 December 2023, they shared that they were expecting their first child. Their daughter, Madison, was born on 17 April 2024.

In September 2024, Olly Murs was featured on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?, which explored his Latvian family history.

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)

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