The Voice UK’s Olly Murs challenges X Factor judges to a sing off

The Voice UK coach Olly Murs has challenged The X Factor judges to a sing off.

Former X Factor finalist and host Olly is joining the rival singing series 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!”

Now ahead of the show’s launch on Saturday, Olly has thrown down the gauntlet to his X Factor rivals.

As usual, The Voice UK opened its series with a mega performance from the coaches.

They started the blind auditions last month with a group cover of Feeling Good.c

And Olly says he’d love to see Simon Cowell and the other X Factor judges follow suit.

Chatting to The Sun, Olly said: “The performance at the start of the show was amazing, you don’t get that on any other TV show, that’s a fact, that’s not me having a dig at anyone.

“I’d love to see Simon and the other judges get up and sing like that.”

Olly went on to say his role on The Voice was different to being a judge on The X Factor.

“We’re not judging, we’re coaching. We’re much more constructive, we’re not being mean or horrible – we’re trying to help the contestants,” said the Troublemaker singer.

Olly also thinks his time on X Factor will give him an advantage: “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.”

The Voice UK 2018 continues Saturday nights on ITV.