Essex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-5-667x1000.jpg" alt="Olly Murs" class="wp-image-22050" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-5-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-5-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-5-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-5.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>Olly Murs. In the flesh. In our county we both call home. The Witham born star first appeared on our screens 15 years ago as runner-up in <em>The X Factor</em>. Fast forward to 2025 and he’s come a long way, having released&nbsp;four number one singles, seven studio albums and receiving six BRIT Award nominations. Then there’s his many TV stints presenting <em>The X Factor</em>, <em>The Xtra Factor</em>, <em>The Voice UK</em> and <em>Starstruck</em>. Not bad for our Essex boy, aye?</p>



<p>So, what’s next for our star? His biggest ever home-county headline show, that’s what. Heading to Chelmsford City Racecourse on <strong>6 July</strong> as part of his <em>15 Years of Hits</em> UK tour, he’s supported by special guests Blue, Lemar and good mate Mark Wright.</p>



<p>But how’s life different now he’s reached the big 4-0, as well as being wed to wife Amelia and with daughter Maddie just turning one? We&nbsp;sat down for a chat on all things music, marriage and how he&#8217;s making sure he’s the best father he can be. After nattering first off seeing as we once lived just 20 mins away from each other. PS: he’s as friendly and down to earth as you&#8217;d expect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-olly-tell-us-all-about-your-upcoming-tour">Olly, tell us all about your upcoming tour.</h2>



<p>It’s about me celebrating 15 years in the industry. Looking back, I’d never have thought I’d have the opportunity to get to this point, but here I am! I&#8217;ve got a massive arena tour that starts in a couple of weeks, then summer shows including Chelmsford City Racecourse. It’s a huge summer of entertainment, music, laughter and fun. It&#8217;s gonna be good.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-feel-about-performing-in-essex">How do you feel about performing in Essex?</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s awesome. I’ve been crying out to do this for ages, especially as I used to do shows at Hylands Park and V Festival. I&#8217;ve also performed at Castle Park in Colchester over the years, but always wanted to come back to Chelmsford. Then when I heard Justin Timberlake was coming here that weekend. I was like, ‘I need to have a little piece of that.’ So here I am.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-besides-justin-you-re-going-to-be-working-alongside-a-lot-of-other-stars-what-does-that-feel-like">Besides Justin you’re going to be working alongside a lot of other stars – what does that feel like?</h2>



<p>The idea of being on the same bill and the same weekend as Justin, Duran Duran and all the other acts still humbles me. I&#8217;m truly honoured to even just be a part of it and to be able to sell tickets at this level. I can&#8217;t wait.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plus-you-get-to-go-home-and-see-your-wife-and-daughter-at-the-end-of-the-night">Plus you get to go home and see your wife and daughter at the end of the night.</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly2.jpg" alt="Olly Murs and wife" class="wp-image-22052" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Olly and his family Image: Instagram/Olly Murs</figcaption></figure>



<p>Definitely. If I’ve got the opportunity to get home early and see the missus and baby, I&#8217;m there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-still-live-in-essex-why-have-you-never-moved-away">You still live in Essex – why have you never moved away?</h2>



<p>I just think it&#8217;s the people; it&#8217;s home; it&#8217;s where I grew up. It&#8217;s hard to explain, but like that old saying from <em>The Wizard of Oz</em> there&#8217;s no place like home, no matter where I&#8217;ve been in the world. I also love knowing where everything is, from where you can get a nice bit of breakfast to where the best roast dinners are.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-think-there-s-still-an-essex-stereotype">Do you think there’s still an Essex stereotype?</h2>



<p>There is a bit we can’t seem to shake, like fake tan, how we speak and stuff like that, but people forget that’s not what Essex is about. What I explain to people that haven’t been here is how green it is. It’s close to London, but just head towards Chelmsford, Witham or Colchester and you’ll see lots of beautiful countryside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-you-go-anywhere-in-essex-without-being-recognised">Can you go anywhere in Essex without being recognised?</h2>



<p>Not all the time. I love going for a run in Leigh-on-Sea, but obviously don’t get stopped because I’m running! It’s lovely when people say hello, but I have to choose the times I go out. I wouldn&#8217;t nip to to the shops on Saturday because it would be too busy; but not because I think I&#8217;m too big to go shopping. I suppose in my mind once one person asks for a picture more and more do, and I’ve got to think of Amelia and Maddie.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-must-be-tough-at-times">It must be tough at times.</h2>



<p>It’s not that bad. Last week we did go to a local park though – and I forgot it was the Easter holidays! We went to go in the gate and saw it was packed with mums and their kids. One mum looked over and recognised me, so we turned around and found another lovely park with no one there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-exhausted-and-people-want-selfies-do-you-always-say-yes">You’re exhausted and people want selfies. Do you always say yes?</h2>



<p>I’d never say no to anyone and always give people time. The only thing that makes it different is if I&#8217;m with Maddie and she&#8217;s crying or needs changing. Then family has to come first.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-x-factor-was-15-years-ago-fast-forward-another-15-where-do-you-see-yourself"><em>The X Factor</em> was 15 years ago. Fast forward another 15 – where do you see yourself?</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s mad to think 15 years ahead – besides the fact I’ll be 55! I just hope I&#8217;m still performing, because I&#8217;d like Maddie to see her dad singing and doing what I love to do best.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speaking-of-being-a-dad-what-didn-t-you-realise-before-becoming-a-parent">Speaking of being a dad, what didn’t you realise before becoming a parent?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly1.jpg" alt="Olly Murs and Maddie" class="wp-image-22053" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/olly1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Olly with daughter Maddie Image: Instagram/Olly Murs</figcaption></figure>



<p>You’ve so many feelings, but the one overwhelming one I didn&#8217;t expect is worrying about her. I’m constantly checking she’s OK. Even when I’m working I’m thinking about how to protect her.&nbsp;No one prepared me for that.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-last-question-tell-us-one-thing-you-do-that-no-one-knows-about-until-now">One last question. Tell us one thing you do that no one knows about – until now.</h2>



<p>That’s a good one. When I go to get a takeaway I have a bag that keeps it warm; like what a delivery driver has. It’s a 25 minute journey to get a pizza, so it&#8217;s a 50 minute journey there and back. I take the bag with me and it keeps the food warm until I get home!</p>



<p><em>Olly Murs is performing his summer shows at Chelmsford City Live (<strong>6 July</strong>), as well as Lincoln Castle (<strong>25 June</strong>), Llangollen Pavilion (<strong>4 July</strong>) and Halifax’s The Piece Hall (<strong>5 July</strong>). For tickets and more info on other tour dates visit </em><a href="https://www.cuffeandtaylor.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>cuffeandtaylor.com</em></a></p>



<p><strong><em>Interview: Claire Muffett-Reece</em></strong></p>


Our heart skips a beat! Muddy Essex meets singer and TV star Olly Murs

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