When Olly Murs burst onto our screens as a contestant on the sixth series of The X Factor UK in 2009, he quickly stole the nation’s heart. With his cheeky charm and impressive musical talent, he quickly established himself as one of the UK's finest pop stars. But he describes that debut performance as nothing short of terrifying —he could barely muster the courage to say his own name. Fast forward nearly two decades, and now he's stepping into a new role as a first-time father. And, unlike those nerve-wracking auditions, this chapter is one he's diving into with pure excitement and joy, ready to embrace every moment of the adventure ahead.
As we stepped into a stunning London office in Euston, the laughter of Olly Murs reached our ears long before we caught sight of that signature Essex grin. The laid-back star was animatedly sharing his newfound love for ice baths and how these chilly plunges have helped him gear up for fatherhood. “I find a lot of clarity sitting in that freezing water,” he explained with a chuckle. “I can now manage almost ten minutes! When you start your day with an ice bath, there’s nothing you can’t conquer. It really helped me get into the right headspace for becoming a dad and preparing for labour.”
From Paper Rounds to Parenthood
Olly Murs grew up with humble beginnings, and that down-to-earth charm is still alive and well in his personality. Even as an A-list celebrity with names like Gary Barlow and Simon Cowell in his phone contacts, he radiates the vibe of your friendly neighbourhood Essex lad—someone you could easily find at the local pub, sharing a pint and a hearty laugh. It’s this relatable spirit that he’s eager to pass down to his daughter, Madison, and hopefully to two more kids in the future. Of course, that might be a bit trickier for Madison, considering her parents are global pop star Olly Murs and bodybuilding champion and social media influencer Amelia Tank.
Olly grew up with his parents and two siblings, twin brother Ben and sister Faye, who are just 18 months apart. He speaks of his parents' hardworking attitude and the lessons that they taught their children as something he hopes to emulate in his own parenting. Olly is extremely close to his parents and says they have played a vital part in helping him and his wife, Amelia, adjust to parenthood.
"I got my first job at 14 while I was still at school. I was always working and grafting—juggling two paper rounds! It really gave me a sense of independence, and that's something Amelia and I want to instil in our own kids. I'm really mindful of that. Amelia and I aren't materialistic; sure, we enjoy nice clothes and fancy dinners, but we both come from pretty humble beginnings. We realise how lucky we are, so I want to make sure Madison, especially, understands that," says Olly whose now deep in thought.
“If you want to graft and work hard, that’s where success comes from. I hope she can look at me and see what I’ve achieved and, in turn, be inspired to go out and achieve her own goals.”
Good cop or bad cop?
Olly Murs’ infectious smile and cheeky personality have made him a natural fit for hosting gigs like Xtra Factor and judging on The Voice for six seasons. But when it comes to parenting, Olly plans to take a slightly firmer approach.
"I’d like to bring a bit of seriousness to it (parenting)," he says. "When I say something, that’s what we’re going to do. But at the same time, I want to praise her, have fun, joke around, sing, and dance with Madison. I want her to know we can have a great time, but there’s a time and place for everything—and when it’s bedtime, it’s bedtime!"
Rocking the stage and the cradle
As little Madison Murs gets ready to blow out her first birthday candle, Olly will be gearing up to hit the big stage once again. In April and May 2025, he’s embarking on a UK arena tour, bringing his greatest hits to cities like Plymouth, Brighton, Dublin, Glasgow, London, and more. And if that’s not enough to get fans buzzing, he’s bringing boyband legends Blue along for the ride.
Balancing global superstardom with being a devoted husband and hands-on dad? It sounds like a juggling act that would stress anyone out! But Olly insists he’s enjoying for the challenge, proudly sharing that he’s fully involved—nappy changes and all.
"I think any parent will tell you that you face all sorts of obstacles, but overall, it’s been brilliant. My wife has been amazing through it all. Of course, I’ve been busy working, so good communication is key. If she’s feeling overwhelmed or needs help, I want her to let me know. I’m also really focused on being present and fully there in the moment especially when I'm at home," says Olly.
The senstive soul
There’s no denying it: Olly Murs is one of the most charismatic celebrities to ever grace our screens. Even before we stepped into a room with him, he came across as a genuinely nice guy.
Becoming a father has a way of turning even the toughest guys into softies, and Olly is no exception. You know, it’s like all those feel-good songs he’s belted out over the years suddenly take on a whole new meaning. Now, when he hears a sweet lullaby or sees his little girl smile, he’s not just the pop star with a killer voice—he’s also a proud dad who might get a bit misty-eyed over a Disney movie. Fatherhood has added a whole new layer of emotion to his life, making him more relatable than ever.
"I’ve always been a bit sensitive, but now I feel really emotional when I talk about being a dad and having a daughter. It’s still sinking in for me. I think I’m just at the beginning of this journey, and it’s hard to explain. Since I didn’t get much bonding time with Madison while she was growing inside Amelia's tummy, I feel like my real experience with her is happening now," says Olly with a proud smile.
"Every day, we’re building a different connection. She looks at me, touches me, talks to me, and those little moments are where I’m really bonding with her. It’s beautiful."
Even popstars can't dodge the dreaded poonamis
Since becoming a father, Olly has partnered with one of the leading nappy brands, Pampers, to tackle the trials of parenting head-on—because let’s be honest, what pop star isn’t ready for a little poonami action?
Recent research by Pampers revealed that a whopping 73 per cent of UK parents find that nappy rash can seriously dampen their baby’s mood. And we all know that a grumpy baby means a stressed-out parent! That’s why Pampers has launched their NEW Premium Protection nappies, designed with a DermaComfort Layer to keep those delicate little bottoms dry and happy.
Olly says, “When Madison is happy, Amelia and I are happy, so there’s nothing better than keeping our daughter comfy and her skin protected with those new Pampers.”
In true cheeky Olly style, he even visited the charming Dorset spot called “Scratchy Bottom” to encourage parents to give these nappies a try and ensure that this is the only scratchy bottom in Britain.
Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.