Olly Murs reveals he suffered from depression after flopping as X Factor host
OLLY Murs has revealed he was left suffering from depression after flopping as an X Factor host.
The singer took over presenting the show from Dermot O’Leary alongside Caroline Flack in 2005, but after a string of gaffes and public backlash, they lasted just one series.
Speaking about that time, Olly – who has now signed as a judge on rival show The Voice – admits it was “not easy” and his depression could have got “a lot worse” if he didn’t have the right support network around him.
He told : “I was dealing with the pressures of this industry when I was first in the public eye… it’s not easy for anyone. And I’ve gone through worse since then.
"When I was on X Factor with all the stuff that happened it was intense. There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders hosting at the time what was the biggest show on TV.”
He continued: “It wasn’t serious depression but I had a difficult time. It could have got a lot worse.
"Luckily, I have a good team around me who saw I was in that place and they got me out of it very quickly.
“And being the positive guy that I am I moved away from it.”
During his time hosting the show Olly famously told contestant Monica Michael that she had lost her place on the show, when he was meant to say it was going to deadlock.
He also fluffed his lines on a couple of occasions and missed his cue during the live shows.
But since then, Olly’s career has gone from strength to strength, with him most recently landing a place on The Voice.
Earlier this month, The Sun exclusively revealed the Essex boy's new role and reported how he would replace Gavin Rossdale on the coaches panel alongside Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Will.i.am.
The singer is yet to hear from his old boss Simon Cowell though about the gig – after we revealed the music mogul is annoyed that he’s made the move.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he said: "I haven't heard from Simon. I don't believe in rivalries."
He continued: "X Factor was an incredible part of my life, now I am taking the next chapter and becoming a coach on The Voice.
"I'm loving it - there's no hard feelings from me anyway. If he wants to call me, call me. Let's have a chat, Simon."
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