Olly Murs reveals how he keeps going at 42 and finds ‘resilience’ 17 years after X Factor big break

Singer Olly Murs reflected on his newfound sense of resilience following the completion of his 400-kilometre epic challenge in celebration of Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 20th anniversary.

The 42-year-old star undertook his Into The Unknown adventure to raise money for children around the world and ran, rowed and rode his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford to Stratford’s London Stadium, over the course of five days. 

Alongside a host of other famous faces, the hitmaker attended a gala in the capital’s Nobu Hotel ahead of the big charity football match due to take place on 31 May. Olly will be taking to the pitch with Danny Dyer, Owen Cooper and Tom Hiddleston, hoping to score goals against football’s greats Jordi Alba and Dimitar Berbatov. 

Posing for pictures on the red carpet with his wife Amelia, Olly stopped to chat with HELLO! and revealed what his gruelling challenge taught him about himself, 17 years after he found fame when he auditioned for Simon Cowell’s judging panel on The X Factor. 

“I just learned that I’ve got quite a good resilience. I didn’t realise I could keep going the way that I did. You don’t know until you do something like that, right? That you’ve got that something about you.” 

Olly continued speaking about how he coped with the physical toll of his recent journey: “Every day was tough. It was an amazing challenge to do, but what people don’t see is the amazing team Soccer Aid has behind the scenes; they really pushed me along every day. 

“Knowing at the end of it I was going to see my wife and my kids was really special. It was just a great week, we raised so much money – more than I expected, especially in the world that we live in right now, it’s tough times for everyone, so I appreciate every donation. It’s going to make a massive difference to so many kids!” 

Ahead of lacing up his boots, Olly explained that he was excited to rub shoulders with the celebrities and get back out there. “I’m back with the lads, I’m looking forward to seeing them all on the training pitch and seeing what they’re like. At the moment, I haven’t seen them play football, so hopefully I can bring back a little bit of what I used to have three or four years ago. 

“I’m always looking forward to playing with Sam Thompson, obviously Tom Grennan, Tom Hiddleston, Danny Dyer’s going to be there – loads of great people!” 

Celebrities hedge their bets

Elsewhere on the glittering evening held at the hotel in Portman Square, host and former Olympian Denise Lewis, 53, shared her feelings on which celebrity she felt would surprise crowds with their ball skills. 

She told us on the red carpet: “I’ve just been speaking to Harry Aikines-Aryeetey [Nitro in Gladiators], who I know from his athletics days, and he’s got speed. I don’t know what his football skills are like, but if he has some great training, I think he could surprise people.

“My girl gang this year, I’d love to see them just go out and shine as they often do. GK Barry is playing. I’m sure she’s got some skills. She might just surprise us, but it’s a cracking line-up!” 

Player and longtime supporter of UNICEF, ex-Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson also showed up at the gala, with his girlfriend Talitha Balinska. The couple were loved up, sharing kisses and holding hands as Sam gave interviews and posed for pictures. 

He revealed who he was most excited to play alongside and said: “Danny Dyer’s coming back, one of the best lads! He was my first ever Soccer Aid – I’ve done three, he was my first one. He is one of the best lads to play soccer with, I adore him!

“Tom Hiddleston is back, what a hero in all senses of the word. Apparently, Jack Whitehall’s in there. We’ve got an amazing line-up. Damson Idris as well…  I could go on and on. It’s going to be a tough one, but I think we’re going to win it.” 

And if they do win, the reality star already has his celebration all figured out. “I want a goal, if I’m honest with you. If I do get one, the top’s coming off, we’re swan diving into the crowd – it’s going to be big, so we can but hope.”

Enthusiasm for 48-year-old Rivals star Danny’s return to the pitch was shared by almost all the celebrities wandering around the press pen at the hotel. 

Homeland star David Harewood exclaimed it was “fantastic” that his “good friend” Danny was taking to the pitch once more and revealed he was excited to watch him in the second season of the Jilly Cooper series. 

Alex Brooker, from The Last Leg, added to the Danny fandom and said: “Danny is one of my favourite people that I’ve ever met in general, let alone through Soccer Aid. He’s brilliant. He flies into the challenges.” 

He also commended Olly for taking on his mammoth challenge and added: “He’s put his body through it already, ahead of the game, and for the best cause. He’s raised such a phenomenal amount of money, but he deserves it. I think he’ll be good to go.” 

What is Soccer Aid? 

Soccer Aid for UNICEF is an annual celebrity charity football match that raises money for children around the world. 

The event was co-founded by Robbie Williams in 2006 and features a mixed-sex exhibition match between an England team and a Soccer Aid World XI, both made up of retired professional footballers and international celebrities.

Held to raise awareness and funds, the donations are used to protect every child’s right to play and for the charity’s global programs, which deliver vital vaccines, supply nutritious food, and create safe spaces for children in crises.