Biography
Who is Olly Murs?
Early life and real name
Oliver Stanley Murs was born on May 14, 1984, in Witham, Essex, in the United Kingdom. His parents are Vicky-Lynn and Pete Murs, and he has a twin brother named Ben along with a sister named Fay. He attended Howbridge Junior School in Witham and Notley High School in Braintree, where he played as a striker in the school football team.
Before finding fame in the music industry, Olly Murs worked various jobs. He was employed at Kitchens Direct as a telemarketer and later worked as a recruitment consultant at Prime Appointments in Witham. He also performed in a covers band called the Small Town Blaggers with a friend named Jon Goodey.
Music career breakthrough
Olly Murs became well known in 2009 when he auditioned for the sixth series of The X Factor. He performed Stevie Wonder's song Superstition and progressed through the competition under the mentorship of Simon Cowell. He reached the final and finished as the runner-up of the competition behind winner Joe McElderry.
Following his success on the talent show, Olly Murs signed a record deal with Epic Records and Syco Music. In 2010, he released his self-titled debut album, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number two and achieved double platinum certification. The release featured hit singles such as Please Don't Let Me Go and Thinking of Me.
Albums and chart success
Olly Murs continued his music career with a series of successful studio albums. His second record, In Case You Didn't Know, came out in 2011 and reached number one in the United Kingdom. It generated the chart-topping singles Heart Skips a Beat and Dance with Me Tonight.
He released his third album, Right Place Right Time, in 2012, featuring the hit single Troublemaker. Over the following years, Olly Murs released additional records including Never Been Better in 2014, 24 Hrs in 2016, You Know I Know in 2018, Marry Me in 2022, and Knees Up in 2025, maintaining a strong presence on the British music charts.
Television work and other projects
Alongside his singing career, Olly Murs has worked extensively as a television presenter and personality. In 2011, he co-presented The Xtra Factor alongside Caroline Flack. He returned to the main television talent show in 2015 to co-present series 12 alongside Flack, taking over the role from Dermot O'Leary.
Olly Murs also served as a coach on the television talent show The Voice UK from 2018 to 2023. In addition to his music and television work, he played semi-professional football for Witham Town between 2006 and 2008 and later played for local side Coggeshall Town from April 2016.
Birthday and age
Olly Murs was born on May 14, 1984, which makes Olly 42 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Olly shares the date with 35 other famous people.
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