Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could ‘relive X Factor glory days’

Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'

As I delve into the life of Olly Murs, a man who has experienced both the heights of fame and the depths of criticism, I find myself awestruck by his resilience and determination. From the X Factor stage to The Voice UK, he’s navigated a whirlwind of success, controversy, and personal growth.


Olly Murs openly shared that he yearns for his fame to continue and, in a way, wishes he could revisit the exciting times of his X-Factor victory, even though his tenure as a judge took a toll on his mental health, leading to bouts of depression and anxiety.

40-year-old singer from “The X Factor” contest, who was the runner-up to Joe McElderry in 2009, later served as a judge on that talent show in 2015. Subsequently, she moved on to become a coach on The Voice from 2018 until 2023.

In conversation with Auto Trader’s Show On The Road podcast, Olly mused about his career, expressing that many people often wish they could revisit their school days all over again.

‘For me it would be X Factor again. I just loved the thrill of it. I was on the cusp of changing my life. 

On the brink of an extraordinary, uniquely remarkable event – a first for Whittam and everyone I know, including my family and friends.

Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'

Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'

It was astonishing. A man, originally from Essex and living on a public housing complex, unexpectedly found himself on the most popular television program in the nation. With the possibility of securing a recording contract or releasing an album.

Later, the fact that the show ended and wherever I went, people recognized me, felt overwhelming. At times, even when I’m out with Amelia, there’s a part of me that longs for anonymity. It’s amazing!

However, someone remarked to me, “You might feel disheartened once others cease inquiring about your profession, as it would signal the end of your career.

“I wholeheartedly accept what happened. And let me tell you, the feelings I had then were like riding a wild roller coaster – something I can’t replicate. I’ll never recapture that unique emotional journey again.

Last April, the musician known as “The Troublemaker” became a father for the first time, welcoming a baby girl named Madison into the world. His spouse, Amelia – whom he married just the previous year – is also his personal trainer.

After a span of six years on The Voice, Olly was eliminated from the show. His co-judge, Tom Jones, shared with the Mail that Olly appeared quite troubled about no longer being part of the successful ITV series.

Initially, it appeared that Olly was leaving due to producer decisions aimed at bringing in fresh judges for a younger audience appeal. However, what actually transpired was a less friendly separation on his part.

Tom mentioned: ‘Despite us being traveling, when the incident occurred, we had lengthy conversations. Leaving wasn’t his preference, as he was fond of putting on the performance.’

Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'
Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'
Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'

‘It really bothered him, he didn’t like it. He’s married now and has a kid, so his life has changed. But it definitely bothered him.’

In 2015, Olly found himself in the midst of allegations about fixed X Factor competitions when he stated that Monica Michael was departing the contest prematurely, unaware that the number of judges who had voted to send her home hadn’t been officially declared before the deadlock round results were announced.

After departing from the show, he secured a position on The Voice, yet the prospect of rejoining a judging panel instilled fear within him.

In simpler terms, the musician who is known for singing “Dear Darlin'” shared on Auto Trader’s podcast that he experienced intense fear and anxiety when the situation occurred, equating it to the most devastating news possible. He even suffered a severe panic attack due to this event.

Even though my experiences seem minor compared to others, I must admit that at the time, I was deeply troubled and frightened mentally.

‘I wondered, going back on TV again, was I going to make a mistake? …

Since my performance on X Factor yielded only criticism – “You’re not good enough, You’re not a skilled presenter, You lack the qualities needed to be great, You’re deficient in many areas” – I was left with that impression.

Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'
Olly Murs confesses his time on The Voice left him suffering from depression and panic attacks as he wishes he could 'relive X Factor glory days'

To clarify, there were many positive aspects as well, but unfortunately, I encountered an overwhelming amount of negativity. This left me uncertain about my abilities. Consequently, I sought help from a therapist and had several heart-to-heart conversations with a wonderful woman.

I had around two to three sessions, and they were incredibly beneficial for me. They were so helpful that I felt rejuvenated and prepared to face challenges once more.

One valuable lesson I picked up was learning strategies for managing emotions and recognizing them. She provided methods for dealing with the self-doubting inner voice that often says things like “you can’t do this, just run away.

When I finally understood it, that’s when everything shifted dramatically. On my first day there, I found myself seated in a red armchair on the set of The Voice, and boy, was I terrified!

“I think you’re fantastic at what you do, and you really shine on TV. Keep it up, Olly! You’ve got the talent and ability to succeed.

Not only was it an exceptional experience, but it turned out to be the most meaningful event in my life. I adored every moment of it and dedicated myself to it for a span of seven years. Indeed, it provided me with exactly what I required, and it was simply outstanding!

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2024-09-11 00:24

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