X-Factor star Olly Murs appears at Cruise nightclub in Chester

Apr 15 2010 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

Fresh from the X Factor tour, runner-up Olly Murs has been at Cruise nightclub in Chester.

Essex boy Olly – who was mentored by X Factor creator Simon Cowell – became an overnight sensation because of his slick dancing and stand-out performances of hits such as Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.

Performing to a capacity crowd on Friday night, his set included Twist and Shout, Don’t Stop Me Now, She’s the One and Superstition – which he sang at his first audition.

Olly, who has signed a joint deal between his TV mentor Cowell’s firm Syco Music and Epic Records, which signed previous runners-up JLS, is currently working on new material which he hopes to release in the near future.

“I am recording a lot at the moment and I am really hoping that I can release something in the summer,” he said.

“It could be much later though, as it is work in progress. I want to be happy that it is my best work,” he explained.

Millions tuned in to the X Factor final to see Olly miss out on the top spot to Joe McElderry. Since then he has been kept busy making numerous public appearances and taking part in the show’s live tour.

“The tour was a fantastic experience.

“It was a right laugh and it was great to catch up with all the other X Factor contestants.”

Now that the tour is over Olly is hoping to keep in touch with the friends he made on the show.

“Everyone has a really busy schedule at the moment but we will all catch up when we can,” he said.

While taking part in the X Factor, Olly sang Robbie Williams’ She’s the One and in the final he had the opportunity to meet his idol and sing with him on a duet of Angels.

He said: “Robbie is down to earth and friendly. He is a real star.

“It was good to meet him and he gave me great advice, which was really invaluable.”

The X Factor experience was a real rollercoaster for all the contestants but the high points made up for any low ones. When Simon Cowell picked Olly to go through to perform in the live shows he was elated.

“Simon is a real gent,” said Olly. “He is friendly and is very good with people. He is a great man and I really respect him.

“My favourite bit of X Factor was when I was in LA at Simon Cowell’s house.

“When I found out that I had made Simon’s final three I was over the moon and so so happy.

“I knew that my dream was about to start.”

In Olly’s opinion, performing is the best part of the job and his fans are really important to him.

“I look forward to gigs, no matter how many people are in the audience,” he explained. “Whether it is a few hundred people or a few thousand, it is nice to get out there and perform for those people who supported me.

“I owe a lot to the people who picked up the phone and voted for me week after week.

“I love my fans, they are great and have changed my life.”