Olly Murs has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Strictly bosses for the 2022 series, revealing Simon Cowell once banned him from competing.
The Voice coach, 37, revealed music mogul Simon, 62, was even against him talking about Strictly when the dance show and X Factor were pitted against each other in the Saturday night TV ratings.
After being inspired by his late friend Caroline Flack’s winning performance in 2014, Olly hopes to one day take part in Strictly, and says he would embrace the sequins, glitter, and fake tan.
‘I’ve got what it takes’: Olly Murs has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Strictly bosses for the 2022 series, revealing Simon Cowell once banned him from competing (pictured in May)
Olly told MailOnline: ‘I’ve said it for years, I love watching TV like everybody else and I’ve loved Strictly since Caz won it. I was a big fan that year and watched the whole series.
‘I was anti Strictly because I was a massive X Factor fan, I was on the show, hosting it, and Simon Cowell said “you can’t watch Strictly, it’s X Factor, X Factor, X Factor”, so I was always in team X Factor.
‘But when Caz went over and did it, I supported her and watched the show down there and I love music and dancing, so it was a big thing for me.
‘If my knee was 100 per cent then I would but right now I’d say no because my legs aren’t right. I’ve got a stressed fracture in my shin.
‘I definitely think I’ve got what it takes. But right now, my knee is telling me ‘Olly, you haven’t got what it takes.’ I would absolutely love the tan and sequins. They wear nice tight trousers on Strictly and everyone knows I love a tight trouser.’
‘I was always team X Factor’: The Voice coach revealed Simon was even against him talking about Strictly when the dance show and X Factor were pitted against each other (pictured in 2015)
‘I’ve loved it since Caz won’: After being inspired by his late friend Caroline Flack’s winning performance in 2014, Olly hopes to one day take part in Strictly (pictured in 2014)
Aside from his knee injury, Olly wouldn’t have any problems with Strictly’s vigorous training schedule.
The singer achieved the abs of his dreams after adopting his bodybuilder girlfriend’s diet and fitness regime this year, earning himself a muscular six pack in the process.
He admitted Amelia’s gruelling training was a tough commitment that he hasn’t been able to sustain and even he was shocked when he saw her ripped physique during her latest bodybuilding competition.
Olly said: ‘I can genuinely tell my kids one day that I had abs. I was 37 years of age and never really had proper abs. I’m proper buzzing I was able to achieve it.
Dedication: The singer achieved the abs of his dreams after adopting his bodybuilder girlfriend’s diet and fitness regime this year, earning himself a muscular six pack in the process
‘You see a lot of these bodies on Instagram and over the years I’ve been like “oh my God, look at that guy, stop posting photos of your body” – people have probably said that about me.
‘But now I look at people’s bodies and think you don’t realise how much work and effort has gone into that, there’s so much dedication involved.
‘I see how much effort Amelia puts into her body. The photos you see, you can’t sustain that 24/7 and keep those abs forever. If you look at my body now there’s definitely no abs – just lots of Nando’s!’
Olly has defended his girlfriend of two-years amid the hurtful trolling she receives over her athletic figure, saying ‘jealous haters’ need to improve their own physicality before body shaming others.
‘I feel for Amelia’: Olly has defended his girlfriend of two-years amid the hurtful trolling she receives over her athletic figure, saying ‘jealous haters’ need to stop body shaming
He added: ‘Amelia gets a lot of trolling and negative comments. It’s more to do with their mindset.
‘Maybe they don’t like their bodies and they need to work on themselves before they start hating on other people.
‘Amelia is really proud of everything she’s achieved with her body. Ultimately, the pictures you see aren’t what Amelia is like 24/7.
‘When she was at that competition even I walked in and said “s*** babe I can see every muscle in your body, this is mad” and she was like “I know, but this is what the competition is all about.”
‘I don’t know why people body shame; it’s more a jealousy thing. It’s more your insecurities. I feel for Amelia sometimes but she’s so strong and she doesn’t care.’
‘Disgusting’: Olly has teamed up with Peperami who challenged him to rate the worst foods in Britain, including baked beans on Weetabix and a popcorn salad, which he described as ‘vile’
Olly has teamed up with Peperami who challenged him to rate the worst foods in Britain, including cold baked beans on Weetabix and a popcorn salad, which he described as ‘disgusting.’
In the latest series of Peperami’s ‘Ban the Bland’ series that has also featured former footballer Rio Ferdinand, Olly, whose dad first got him hooked on the snack, was tasked with eating nachos and cottage cheese, a less than enjoyable experience.
Talking about the campaign, he said: ‘When did Weetabix with beans become a thing? It was disgraceful, how is that a snack? Who goes to their kitchen and thinks ‘I really fancy Weetabix and beans.’
‘I love Peperami I always have; it’s one of my go to snacks. I saw Rio Ferdinand and LadBaby have been involved and it’s fun, a cool snack, and I had the best day filming.
‘I must have eaten about eight packs of chicken bites during filming. I’m turning into a chicken bite. I messaged Rio and we both said we had eaten so many chicken bites.’
- Olly Murs has been challenged by Peperami to take on the nation’s food fails and trial Britain’s saddest snacks. To watch the full episode, visit @PeperamiTV on Instagram
‘I’m turning into a chicken bite!’: Olly admits while being tasked with eating a popcorn salad, he was also able to enjoy eight packets of Peperami’s chicken bites during filming for the campaign