22 September 2023 , 19:57
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Olly Murs says he has been left "gutted" after being axed from singing competition The Voice UK.
The singer and TV personality, 39, was shocked to hear the news he wouldn't be returning as a judge on the ITV series next year. He had been on the show since joining as a mentor in 2018 alongside Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson. Olly remained on the show for the past six years, as other celeb mentors came and went.
He will have to attend the launch of the new series next month knowing he won't be making a return in 2024. Olly confessed: "I’m gutted. I got the call last week to say I won’t be back on the show, and it’s a bit of a shock, to be honest." He admitted he didn't expect the news and doesn't want people to think it was his decision to leave.
Olly had worked on the show for six years (ITV/Rachel Joseph/REX/Shutterstock)The Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker told The Sun: “Did I want to leave? No. Will I still watch the show? Of course, but it’ll be sore thinking that could have been me . . .” In response to Olly's comments, ITV told The Mirror: "The Voice UK returns to ITV1 and ITVX for a brand new series later this year featuring coaches will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, Anne-Marie and Olly Murs. Details of the 2024 series will be confirmed in due course."
Olly had another blow earlier this month as he confirmed the sad news that his ITV show Starstruck has been axed. He presented the Saturday night entertainment show, which saw fans perform as their favourite artists to a star-studded judging panel, and the winners were awarded a £50,000 cash prize. In the first series, Beverley Knight, Adam Lambert, Sheridan Smith and Jason Manford oversaw the performers as they belted out tracks by Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Meat Loaf.
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When the show returned for a second series, Sheridan was replaced by Shania Twain and Ronan Keating. Back in June, it was rumoured that Starstruck wouldn’t be returning for a third season, which was expected to begin filming later this year. Olly confirmed the news at the National Television Awards, saying: “Presenting is something I have always loved doing. Starstruck was amazing but that isn’t coming back. I am gutted it is such a great show. In this game, things change so quickly.”
Olly insisted that the “ratings did really well but in terms of money and stuff like that, it just didn’t work.” The singer, who recently tied the knot, isn’t ruling out a return to presenting a talent show and is planning on reuniting with Simon Cowell. He worked with the music mogul on the now-defunct series The X Factor, which was scrapped in 2018. “Me and Simon are great, it’s been a long time. Whether it’s The X Factor or The Voice, there are so many voices that need to be heard,” he told The Sun.