Olly Murs Talks Break-Ups, X Factor & Simon's New Beard

He's the cheeky Essex chappy who we all have secretly wished would be our boyfriend and who our mums kind of fancy too.

From the X-Factor and back, Olly Murs has made a round-trip from being a hopeful on the show to it's new co-host alongside Caroline Flack.

We spoke to him about the upcoming live shows, the advice Dermot gave him and about the rumours of Louis Walsh's return: On his new book…

I just thought it would be great for my fans to see what goes into building a tour – how I get fit, the decisions I have to make, the staging, the set, what goes on behind the scenes and my day to day life…to show everything. Matt Allen, my ghostwriter, was a fly on the wall – he was everywhere. He had a Dictaphone on him the whole time, he was writing everything down. If I was swearing he’d write that down! I was like, you can’t follow me into the bedroom…no bedroom talk, Matt. He obviously couldn’t come and have a chat with me while I was on the loo but he was there a lot of the time, which was great.

On his recent breakup…

I haven’t actually seen the judges. I did have lunch with Caroline the other day but it has been difficult. I’ve just been keeping busy with my friends and family – and obviously with the X Factor! It’s never easy going through a breakup – it’s hard. It’s going to be nice to see the judges and get back to work.

On why he thinks he’s such a big hit with the mums…

I don’t know actually! I supposed I’ve noticed over time really. When I first came off the X Factor and went onto the theatre tour there was a lot of teens there and their mums came as chaperones. It really kicked off after the Robbie Williams tour as that was a whole new demographic for me. They’re definitely a louder crowd. I’ve also noticed a lot of mums turn up drunk to my shows…all their daughters are like ‘mum, stop it! You’re embarrassing me!’ I love any fan: mums, dads, daughters, boyfriend, it’s all cool with me.

On the live X Factor shows…

The live shows are going to be intense and crazy, especially for someone like me who doesn’t have a great CV of doing this sort of thing. I’ve always been a guest on the show, performing – it’s not like I can burst out singing and dancing if I feel nervous. So it’s going to be exciting for me, it’s a new challenge and I like challenges.

On his favourites from the show…

Well obviously I have some favourites, but I don’t think I can tell you – can I tell you?! I do think the talent this year is amazing. We’ve got some great potential winners in every category. I mean Anton is great – he’s a star and a lovely guy who has a great story and an amazing voice – I’ve got a soft spot for him. And then Shay is from Essex, Chelmsford, he’s from my neck of the woods – I really wish them all the best with the show. I’ll definitely be giving them some encouragement.

On the advice Dermot gave him…

He was just said be yourself and enjoy it. It’s a great show. We haven’t really spoken about the live shows yet – but I’m sure me and Caroline will be in contact with him later to get some advice. He’s always complimentary about us, as we are of him. Dermot is so calm under pressure. He never looks nervous and he’s never flustered – he’s in control of the show and obviously that’s something that I want to take on board but I’m not sure it’s going to be as easy as that for me and Caroline as it’s our first year. We just want to bring a lot of fun.

On new judge, Grimmy…

I think Grimmy is great as a judge and he’s going to come alive more in the live shows, he’s got such a fun personality so he’ll be brilliant. I would probably say that Nick would be the most nervous of the lot just because Rita has done it before with The Voice and Cheryl and Simon have done it for years. He might be a little nervous, but people forget that Nick is a TV and radio presenter, he’s done live before.

On Simon’s beard…

I think I encouraged it. I think a lot of the ladies down at the X Factor encouraged it. So many people were giving him compliments about the beard. I think Caroline and Nick fancied him with it! it’s got me thinking that I need to grow mine now. I think he’s going to keep it. who knows, for the live shows the beard might stay – the beard might stay people, watch out!

On recent criticism about Cheryl’s weight…

Well I mean, I thought the stories were ridiculous. I’ve been at the X Factor and with Cheryl, we all sit there and have lunch and dinner together. For me, I don’t really know – I just thought the stories were harsh.

On how he think he would fair in this years competition…

I don’t think I would have got past the six-chair challenge! I really don’t know how the contestants do it! It’s a really tough part of the show, but it’s all part of the audition process but that would have been the part that I would have failed at. It’s a tough year!

On what he feels when contestants sing his songs…

I love it. I take it as a compliment, but I do get really embarrassed. You don’t quite know whether they’re going to sing it amazingly or be terrible, so I never know what to expect. It’s lovely to think that people can see that song as one that’s going to get them through, though we know Monica Michael sang Trouble Maker last year and didn’t!

On the rumours that Louis might be returning…

Well I mean you can’t always believe everything you read in the paper, but never say never. I think there are always rumours around Louis but we’ve got the judges houses coming up so you never know, he might be involved in that. He is part of the X Factor family and he left on amicable terms so everyone here still loves him. I can’t see him on the judging panel but you never know, he could show up for the judges houses. Let’s wait and see.

Olly's new book, On The Road is out now.