Olly Murs has cleared up rumours of a ‘feud’ with X Factor boss Simon Cowell.
Olly was runner up on The X Factor in 2009 and went on to host the show in 2015.
But he’s now a coach on rival singing series The Voice UK, which currently airs on ITV.
It’s a move said to have caused a rift between Olly and Simon, but he says it’s all just “silly” rumours.
“It’s just silly, but I can see why because it’s The X Factor vs The Voice,” Olly said this weekend. “At ITV, it’s not like that – we’re just one big happy family.
“When I first started on The X Factor, Simon was my mentor and he gave me this amazing career, but he’s never told me what to do on a day-to-day basis. I don’t ring Simon and say, ‘Is it OK if I go into work today?’ He’s not my boss.”
In a chat with NOW! Magazine, Olly continued: “I haven’t got any ties to The X Factor. If anything, I’m like everyone else: I have to contact The X Factor every year and tell them I’ve got a new single and I’d love to perform it on the show and they let me know what they think.
“Simon and I get on great and I’ve got so much respect for him and The X Factor, but I had to make a decision for my career and The Voice is a great show.”
Meanwhile, Olly revealed he’s received offers from The Voice “around the world” but hoped to still stay on the UK show in 2019.
“I can’t say too much, but there have been a couple of offers around the world from The Voice, which is amazing,” he said. “If America came calling, I’d jump at the chance.
“To be honest, I’m just focusing on what I’m doing here and enjoying that – I really hope they’ll ask me back next season. I one hundred per cent want to be here next year.”
The Voice UK continues Saturday nights on ITV.
