Oliver Stanley Murs, known professionally asOlly Murs, is an English singer, songwriter and television personality. He rose to prominence after participating in the sixth series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2009, where he finished as runner-up. Following the show, Murs was signed to RCA Records and Sony Music in the United Kingdom, and Columbia Records in the United States.
Prior to The X Factor, Murs was a Non-League footballer. In 2010, he released his self-titled debut album, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number two and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The album included the hit singles "Please Don't Let Me Go" and "Thinking of Me". The following year, Murs released his second album, In Case You Didn't Know, which entered the charts at number one and resulted in two number-one singles with "Heart Skips a Beat" and "Dance with Me Tonight". In 2012, he released his third album, Right Place Right Time, and released six singles from it; the first, "Troublemaker", was his fourth number one.
In 2014, Murs released the single "Wrapped Up" featuring Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy, which peaked at number three. This was the first single to be released from his fourth album Never Been Better, which entered the charts at number one. It was followed by a second single, "Up" featuring American singer Demi Lovato. In 2016, he released his fifth album, 24 Hrs, which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, followed by his sixth album, You Know I Know, in 2018. After splitting with RCA Records, Murs released his seventh album, Marry Me, in 2022.
In 2011, it was announced that Murs would return to The X Factor to co-present its spin-off show The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack. In 2015, it was announced that Murs would be reunited with Caroline Flack to replace Dermot O'Leary as co-presenters of The X Factor for series 12. From 2018 to 2023, he was a coach on The Voice UK. In 2022 and 2023, Murs presented Starstruck on ITV.
