Why Olly Murs has a big advantage on The Voice UK

Olly Murs says he’s got a special advantage on The Voice 2018.

Former X Factor finalist and host Olly is joining The Voice UK as a coach alongside Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and Jennifer Hudson.

Olly said on signing up: “I’m absolutely buzzing about being a coach on The Voice UK and can’t wait to sit in the big red chair alongside will, Jennifer and Tom. I’m excited to mentor new artists and without doubt, I’m in it to WIN!”

Speaking ahead of the latest episode on Saturday, Olly says he’s been able to hold his own against the more experienced coaches.

Olly told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “You’ll be surprised how many times I’ve won the battles.

“I’ve been pitching well and I think my empathy I’ve got with the contestants being on that journey helps.”

And he revealed his real advantage over the likes of Will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson: “I think it helps that I am from the UK, I’m an English artist. I think that’s helping my cause in the battles.

“Also, out of all the coaches, I’m right on the pulse of what’s happening in the industry right now, the charts, and what’s going on. So I think that’s helped me quite a bit.”

Olly also reckons his X Factor past will help him out.

He explained: “It helps me to be able to give the contestants my advice and they also know I have been through that experience and I can help and guide them with that. If they have any questions they want to ask I can help them.

“But when they get to the later stages of the competition it is really about picking the right songs and that is what I want to try and get across to them. I hope they have the confidence in me to help them with that but they also need to know themselves and find themselves as an artist.

“I definitely think that the experiences I have had doing reality TV shows will definitely help them and that I have had such a successful career coming from a reality TV show, not many people get that opportunity so I am very lucky that I am part of that group.”

The Voice UK 2018 begins this Saturday night on ITV from 8PM.