Olly Murs is back hosting a Saturday night show – and says the spirit of his showbiz pal Caroline Flack is with him every step of the way.
They co-hosted The X Factor in 2015 and this is Olly’s first presenting gig since then.
He was shattered when Caroline took her own life two years ago at the age of just 40.
And when Olly signed up to host new show Starstruck – a revamp of Stars in Their Eyes – he leaned heavily on the memories and guidance of his dear friend.
Olly, 37, says of the show, which is pre-recorded: “She was definitely with me, Caz, behind the doors. I’m not going to lie. I did the pilot on the first day and it felt very strange.
“It definitely felt weird for me to be on my own hosting a show. I was thinking about her and what we would normally do.
“We’d normally have a joke or two or dance and have a laugh together and try not be so serious and that’s what was so good about the show. And God bless Caroline, I love her and miss her every day.
“Remembering her way, in a really serious moment telling a joke or doing something really stupid or fun.
“I did take that in with me on to this show and I’m also very proud to be hosting such an amazing show on Saturday night – the first Saturday show on my own.
“I know that Caroline would have been really proud of me getting this job.”
Starstruck has contestants in teams of three dressing up as their musical idols – like Freddie Mercury and Ariana Grande – and performing one of their songs. The judges are Sheridan Smith, Beverley Knight, Adam Lambert and Jason Manford – while a virtual audience votes on who goes through to the final and a shot at the £50,000 prize.
Olly, who is a coach on talent show The Voice, admits he steered clear of presenting duties for a while after a mixed experience back on The X Factor.
He goes on: “The last time I did a Saturday night TV show was with Caroline and I sort of avoided hosting for quite a few years really.
“It wasn’t something I wanted to do any more. I wanted just to continue singing and doing that and then I went into judging.
“So it was a big moment for me. Many times, before the show, I’d think of Caroline and of the little words she would say to me and a joke or two. What was so lovely, I had an amazing panel who made me feel at ease.”
Heaping praise on Caroline, he adds: “I wouldn’t be the presenter I am without her. She was the real deal.
‘People didn’t give her enough credit for what a great presenter she was.
“In times of difficulty, especially in the early days when I was doing TV, I needed Caroline next to me because she was the pro.
“I definitely learnt so much from Caroline on working in TV. She 100% made me the presenter I am today and I will continue to do her justice and do her proud. I think about her every day. I think about what I could have done to change things, what I could have said. All these answers and questions I ask myself every day, but there’s nothing I can do to bring her back.
“All I can do is keep living and keep her in my thoughts. I’ll never forget Caz.
“She’s always there in my memories and thoughts.
“I’ll always try to do my best for her.”
Olly credits his girlfriend Amelia Tank, 27, family and Caroline’s friends and family for helping him cope with the grief of losing his pal. He says: “I’ve been to therapy before, and needed that help over the years, but with Caroline it was different.
“Something I’ve never experienced before was that level of grief. Luckily, I’ve got a great girlfriend, family and friends who have been through grief before. The important thing is to talk about it.
“I’ve taken comfort from a lot of people. Her mum and close friends, we speak and chat it’s nice to be around people who loved her as much as I did.”
Olly and Caroline hosted The X Factor together for one series. There were some blips but Olly is not haunted by them – and he won’t be put off hosting live shows.
He says: “I’m not scared of doing live TV. We all know what happened on that show years ago. But remember – I was very inexperienced. I was put in at the deep end. It was all, ‘Olly is the worst presenter in the world’, but I only had three months’ experience doing live TV.
“So for me, I’m experienced now, I’m grown up and if this show goes live I am happy to do live.
“I’ll probably make a mistake again in the future but I am not scared of that – it happens.”
Of comparisons with Stars in Their Eyes, Olly says: “It’s three times bigger than the show that it was.
“There were some lovely moments from the old show that we all remembered and loved. But this one is you’re getting three times the Elton Johns on stage, you’re getting the judges, dancers, it’s just bigger and better. I honestly think it’s fantastic, I really do. It’s one of those shows that when I got asked to do it I read up on what it was about.
“They sent me a video of what it was. I was just, like, this is a really fun Saturday night show.”
Olly says Starstruck has none of the negativity of The X Factor, which he appeared on in 2009 when Simon Cowell was at his cutting best.
Olly goes on: “It’s a different show. There are different stakes.
“There’s no fighting between the judges, they are all in it together. It’s actually refreshing for me to be on a show where there are no negative vibes.
“Adam Lambert arranged a night for us at Soho House and we had a lovely few drinks, talked about the show and that was really nice.
“Not many panels do that I’ve been around many judging panels and involved in many shows… it was really nice that Adam did that. It meant a lot.”
Starstruck launches on Saturday, February 12 on ITV at 8.30pm.
