Olly Murs was backpacking in Bondi when he decided to go back to the UK and try out for X Factor

SUCCESS in Australia is a reminder to Olly Murs of how far he’s come since backpacking for three months across the country in 2008.

SUCCESS in Australia is a reminder to Olly Murs of how far he’s come since backpacking for three months across the country in 2008.

It was in Bondi that Murs decided to fly home to the UK and try out for The X Factor, where he placed runner-up and scored himself a label deal.

British singer Olly Murs is quite a bit more comfortable in Australia these days. Supplied by Sony.

“One of the must things I do when I go to Australia is go to the Harbour Bridge on my own, soak it all in and think back to how far it has been,” Murs told Confidential ahead of his Perth show tomorrow.

“I was on my own, just me and my bag. I had no money. I was in a hostel sharing with eight people in this horrible little room and obviously now I go back staying in hotels and life is a lot easier. It is great to go to Australia and enjoy it and not be living off $10 a day on food. It definitely shows me how far my life has come.”

The 31-year-old will play the Brisbane Convention Centre on Thursday before travelling to Melbourne and Adelaide. His Enmore Theatre Sydney show is on August 11.

He says he has nothing to hide and promises his fans will see the real him on stage.

“I’m just me. I definitely don’t have a stage name,” he explained.

“A lot of artists become a different person on stage and you definitely grow in confidence when you go on stage. As the years go on you develop and it has taken me years to learn. When I first used to go on stage I was like a squirrel running everywhere, you couldn’t catch me as I was so excited so now I’m a little more laid back. I want to enjoy every single moment.”

Murs may have been runner-up on UK X Factor but he has been kicking goals ever since.

Murs is in Australia on a break from hosting duties on the UKs X Factor.

“It is nice to show fans a different side to you on stage,” he said.

“The most important thing is they get to know me and get to find out a little bit more about me when they leave. There’s a story behind the songs as well as me being a cheeky chappy running around on stage dancing. I do have a lot to talk about.

Murs’ fourth studio album, Never Been Better, spawned hit singles with Wrapped Up and Up with the new title single out now.

The singer’s end goal is longevity. Plus he one day hopes to be playing stadium gigs in Australia.

“I want to continue doing this for as long as I can,” he said. “I love performing and hope to do this for as long as I can.”

He’s touring the country with a six-piece band.

“It is going to be quite an intimate show,” he said. “A lot of my music is up tempo and feel good stuff so it is going to be a lot of fun. I can promise you it won’t be a sad gig. I always try to entertain and everyone will hopefully walk away happy and enjoy it.”

Murs’ female fans should prepare themselves for some cheeky flirting.

“That has always been my thing,” he said. “I’ve always liked to charm and have a good time on stage and enjoy it and my fans have always liked me for that.”

He added: “What happens on stage happens. Whatever will be will be, I’ll be there to enjoy it and embrace it.”

Murs says he enjoys being a little flirtatious on stage. Supplied by Sony.