Olly Murs has sparked a bidding war after sensationally quitting his record label – leaving him up for grabs for a string of rivals.
The 37-year-old singer has been signed to RCA Records since his 2016 – with his last two albums, 24Hrs and You Know I Know, being released by the label.
But now Olly is said to have walked away from the record label and is planning to find a new home for his music as he gears up to unleash his seventh studio album.
Now a host of rival record labels are said to be sniffing around the former X Factor contestant – and current Starstruck host – and are all desperate to snap him up with a new deal.
A source told The Sun: “It felt like it was time to move on and try something new.
“He had a discussion with them and ultimately decided he wanted to shake things up a bit. He has been in the studio working on music for months now and wants to get it out soon.
“As things stand, loads of labels have expressed their interest and now it’s just a case of finding the best deal which will work for him. Olly is really excited about the next chapter.”
Olly shot to fame back in 2009 during the sixth season of The X Factor – ultimately losing out to eventual winner, Joe McElderry.
He went on to be signed to Simon Cowell ’s Syco label and Epic Record – both part of the Sony record company – and enjoyed huge success in the charts despite not winning the talent show.
His debut single, Please Don’t Let Me Go, shot to the top of the charts – while later singles Heart Skips A Beat, Dance With Me Tonight, and Troublemaker were all also number one smashes.
His self titled debut album reached number 2 in the charts, while subsequent albums In Case you Didn’t Know, Right Place Right Time, Never Been Better and 24Hrs all hit number 1 too – while his most recent one came in at number 2.
Away from the charts, Olly has enjoyed success as a judge on The Voice UK and is currently helming the weekend prime time show Starstruck – which sees people performing as their idols in Stars In Their Eyes style.
As part of the show, Olly was alarmed to see a number of people trying to perform as him.
Speaking about his experience, the singer told The Express: “It was pretty surreal and I actually said to the judges if that was how I sing and dance I might retire now.
“Genuinely it was really humbling, I was very emotional actually and I was really taken aback that these three guys had gone away to study me, study how I sing and how I perform.
“It was slightly weird and it did throw me a little bit because I have these amazing judges in front of me and I’m trying to be cool and host the show and suddenly I’m judging myself.
“Then hearing the comments, oh my god. Adam was like, 'Close your ears, Olly’. It was all good fun though.”
Olly added that he did not want to come across as “too polished” as a presenter on Starstruck.
