Olly Murs on Let's Dance: 'I won't wear a leotard'

Olly Murs on Let's Dance: 'I won't wear a leotard'
Olly Murs on Let's Dance: 'I won't wear a leotard' (Image credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Pop star and Xtra Factor host Olly Murs is stepping out for Let's Dance for Sport Relief on Saturday night. Can X Factor's 2009 runner-up now win votes for his dancing? So Olly, are you wondering what you've let yourself in for? "Yeah, a little bit. But, you know, I've watched the show for years and I think it's great seeing people get up there and do silly dance routines to raise money for Sport Relief." You're dancing with Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills on Let's Dance. How did that come about? "Scott and I got on really well on the BT Charity Trek for Comic Relief last year, so when he asked me to join him on Let's Dance, I wanted to do it 100 per cent. Scott and I are really looking forward to it - we know it's going to be good laugh!" How have rehearsals been going? "Our first rehearsal went very well, although it did take Scott a little while to get to grips with the routine. But he's really up for it and he's determined to win so, I say, let's do this!" You're known for your quirky dance moves - do you think that might give you an unfair advantage over the other contestants? "I might be known for my dancing, but Let's Dance is not about the good dancers, it's about the funny ones. We both just want to have fun with the routine and hopefully we'll get the votes!" With all your fans and all Scott's Radio 1 listeners, you should have a fair amount of support... "Hopefully... fingers crossed. With that support we should potentially do well but, like The X Factor, people will make their decisions on who they like on the night, so we just have to go out there and do a good routine." We know it's a closely guarded secret but is there anything you can tell us about the routine? "I know we both have to wear wigs, I just hope I don't have to wear a leotard! I got a lot of stick for my 'bulge' on The Xtra Factor, so I want to keep that under wraps if I can." You've already suffered one wardrobe malfunction for Sport Relief, haven't you? "Ah, yes. Basically, there's a video online of me giving out some tips on how to warm-up for the Sport Relief Mile. Let's just say the chinos were a little bit too tight that day..." So, you're doing the Sport Relief Mile as well? "Yes. I'm doing loads of training at the moment to get myself in good shape. Recently, when I was away on holiday, I was pictured with my belly hanging out, so I'm grateful that Sport Relief is this year and the belly's finally going. And with the Olympics coming as well, it's definitely the year of getting fit! You've already been busy this year touring the UK and Ireland - what else are you up to in 2012? "Well, I'm heading to Europe in the next couple of months, I'll be putting the next album together in the summer and then it's just waiting for the call for The Xtra Factor, which I'd love to host again. It's going to be a fruitful year - I look forward to seeing what's going to happen." Watch Olly and Scott on Let's Dance for Sport Relief on Saturday, March 3 at 7pm on BBC1

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.