“It’s been one hell of a ride, and one hell of a party!” Olly Murs on being a coach for The Voice, post X-Factor career and relationship with Simon Cowell

OLLY MURS has had many ups and downs in his life and career, but he’s told how he landed his role as a coach on The Voice – in a lift!

The former X Factor star has been a breath of fresh air on the ITV show which has been a big hit with viewers every weekend since the start of the year.

However, ahead of next Saturday’s final, he admits it all came about by chance.

“I was actually along talking to ITV who wanted me to be involved in future projects,” explains Olly as he sits down to chat to iN10.

“In the lift they have clips of different shows screening and one was The Voice. I was with the producers and I just asked how it was going and they said they were looking for a new coach.

“I don’t know if it was a hint but I said we should have a chat.

“We did, and when they said they’d love me to be a coach, I was delighted.”

Olly settled in easily alongside returning coaches Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson.

He has more than held his own, bringing his wealth of musical experience garnered since his X Factor days. And while he insists – a bit of excitability aside – he treats everyone the same and hasn’t been overawed by his world famous fellow coaches, backstage chats with Sir Tom are still an eye-opener.

“He’s got so many stories,” laughs Olly.

“You mention a song and he’s like, ‘Yeah, worked with them. Friends with them’. It’s mad. He knows everyone and he’s such a star.

“He’s the real deal. If I could have anything like the same career success as him I’d love it. He’s been around for 50 or 60 years.”

Olly has, relatively speaking, been around for a long time by current musical standards.

He was runner-up to Joe McElderry on X Factor back in 2009 and has had steady success ever since.

“It only seems a long time when people say the date,” reflects Olly. “It’s been one hell of a ride, one hell of a party.

“I’ve enjoyed the ups and downs and the excitement. I’ve done some pretty awesome things, like performing at Wembley Stadium with Robbie Williams.

“I’ve had four No.1 singles and four chart-topping albums. There have been five sell-out tours and, of course, there was touring across America with One Direction.

“At the time it was just riding this incredible wave of the boys being the hottest thing in the world.

“We said at the time it was one of those things we’d look back on in five or 10 years. I was working so hard I probably didn’t appreciate it at the time, but now I think back and it was a phenomenal experience.

“It’s all a big achievement as when I came off X Factor I never expected to be around for this long.

“To be heading towards a decade in music at this level is pretty amazing.

“It’s credit to my fans, but I also have to give myself a pat on the back for, hopefully, putting out some great music.”

The bad times that come to mind include one highly publicised live telly blooper during his one series as co-host, with Caroline Flack, on the show that made his name.

He read out an act being sent home before the public vote deadlock decision was announced and faced a tidal wave of ridicule.

“Making that mistake always annoys me,” he admits. And the downside, like many celebrities, has included relentless attention on his personal life.

Reports over the past few months have had him in a relationship with TV presenter Melanie Sykes and also having dated DJ and Take Me Out star Emma Conybeare.

“There have been press stories over the years that bug me,” continues Olly.

“But these things are part and parcel of the industry and you have to take that. It can affect your private life but these are things I knew I’d have to deal with when I came into this job.

“I laugh about all the dating stuff. Some of it’s true, some of it isn’t.

“I’m still single and, until I do meet someone, I’m happy being on my own and focusing on the work.”

There have also been rumours of a spat between Olly and his mentor, Simon Cowell.

But he insists there hasn’t been any need to kiss and make up.

“Everyone thinks we’re not friends, but we’ve not even spoken for a long time.

“I saw him last year at an ITV event and he was fine. Listen, there’s no beef between myself and Simon.

“We’ve got a great relationship and I’m sure when I see him next we’ll have a drink and we’ll be fine.”

Olly’s work focus has included getting a new album ready. He’s hoping it’ll be completed and out later this year but insists he’s under no time pressure and just wants to have it the best it can be.

“It’s my sixth album and these are exciting times. There are still a lot of things I want to do. I still have plenty of ambitions left.”

But most of his attention of late has been on The Voice.

Whittling down Team Olly was, he confides, a tough thing to go through, especially as X Factor memories came back to him.

“It’s been brutal. I knew I had to make the decisions and, because of experiences I’ve had in the past, shattering someone’s dream like that isn’t great.

“I’ve made some big decisions in my career and I knew that making big calls was what I’d have to do if I want to keep being a coach on The Voice.

“I can’t shy away from responsibility.”

The show has kept Olly in the public eye and his profile is such that he mixes in some pretty exalted company.

A few weeks ago he was invited to a glitzy Prince’s Trust event and found himself rubbing shoulders with the Prince of Wales.

“My sister sent me something afterwards which was really funny,” says Olly, scrolling down his phone to find the message on his family WhatsApp group.

“She said, ‘How was the Prince’s Trust? I love how casual you were about what you’re up to. There’s me making a banana loaf for the kids and you’re mingling with Prince Charles, Ant and Dec, Cheryl and Tom Hardy!’

“I suppose my life is a bit crazy, but I just get used to it. There are still pinch myself moments.”

And with all the madness of his life, getting back to his family and a normality that has become much harder in the past decade is still essential.

“They actually say that I’m really quiet when I go home,” adds Olly.

“I say it’s because I like to just be in their company and not have to try to impress anyone or be anyone I’m not.

“They just love me for me. I’m home most weekends at the moment, which is great.”

n The Voice, ITV, Saturday 8.30pm.