Olly Murs was delighted to be back in Manchester as he set the stage alight at Key 103 Live on Sunday night.
MM grabbed a backstage chat with the Essex cheeky-chap who opened up about his dating problems, life on the road with Robbie Williams and his love for Mila Kunis.
And Olly, who played four nights at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium last month, admitted the city was becoming a second home.
“It’s always great to be in Manchester,” he said. “I’ve played Manchester Arena so many times before but I always look forward to coming back.
“It’s got a great vibe with some great people who are always up for a great time.
“These events are always great fun as well, you get to see the other artists and what they’re getting up to – it’s good fun and really social.”
The 29-year-old stormed to fame in 2009 when he came runner-up in the sixth series of the X-Factor.
Unlike winner Joe McEldery, Olly has found success easy to come by with four number-one singles, three top-two albums and a quartet of BRIT-award nominations.
But while the pop-star’s existence is the envy of many, it does have some drawbacks.
Although some touring musicians find sleep hard to deal with, it’s the lack of a love-life that’s got the Essex singer stumped.
“You try dating and then you’re on a plane, away for two weeks and they’ve met somebody else,” he added. “But that’s just one of those things.
“I’ve got no complaints, I’m happy, my career’s going really well, and I’m really excited about the tour with Robbie.
“I’m probably the champion when it comes to snoozing on tour as well. I’m the Usain Bolt of sleeping.”
One of the key components of a successful artist is a memorable music video, leading to more and more singers using professional actors in their work.
And given the choice, Olly would have FHM’s sexiest woman in the world Mila Kunis centre-stage with him.
“I’d love to get Mila Kunis in a video, it’d be amazing,” he explained.
“Whenever you do a video you want to get a really hot lady involved and Mila Kunis would be top of anyone’s list.
“Nicole Scherzinger would be pretty cool as well, she’s single now.”
The chart-topping sensation is currently promoting third album, Right Place Right Time, with a new release scheduled for 2014.
And while he has already recorded number-ones with the likes of Flo Rida and Rizzle Kicks, attentions could soon be turning to electro-megastar Calvin Harris and tour-mate Robbie.
“I’ve always liked to test myself with my music and I’d love to do a dance record in future,” Olly explained.
“I’ve always said Calvin Harris would be great to work with. I’ve met him at the BRITS a few times and I get on well with him,
“He’s a really nice guy so if he ever wanted to do a tune together that’d be great.
“I hope me and Robbie can work together in the future as well. He’s a big joker and we have a great laugh together on tour.
“I’ve been saying to him we should get in the studio next year, so we’ll see what happens.”
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