News

Olly Murs has reportedly been dating I’m A Celebrity star for almost a YEAR

Couple have been keeping romance "hush-hush"

Olly Murs has a lot going for him – good looks, decent singing voice, not to mention a tremendous taste in hats.

So we couldn’t understand why the former X Factor star hadn’t been snapped up by a nice lady since splitting from his long-term girlfriend Francesca Thomas back in 2015.

Well, according to today’s Sun, he HAS been dating for almost a YEAR – and we reckon you might just know the lady in question…

Yes, the newspaper claims that Olly has been seeing TV presenter and former I’m A Celebrity star Melanie Sykes.

There’s a bit of an age gap – Olly is 33, while Melanie is 47 – but The Sun suggests that the couple bonded over their shared passion for keeping fit.

Mum-of-two Melanie runs her own fitness and lifestyle website, and a showbiz source said: “Mel loves a younger man and really fell for Olly when he got into shape late last year.

“They were initially introduced through a mutual friend. They started texting for ages, and some of the messages ended up getting quite saucy.

Read more: Strictly’s Gemma Atkinson and Ryan Giggs FINALLY speak out about those romance rumours

“They were bonding over her fitness programme. He was a fan of her gym selfies and thought that she had an amazing body.”

The article reckons that the showbiz pair have enjoyed a number of “hush-hush” dates at each other’s houses, in an attempt to keep their romance out of the spotlight.

But those following Melanie’s Instagram page might’ve wondered if something was going on between the pair, after the Manchester lass heaped praise on Olly’s track Flaws back in December.

She gushed: “Love this track @OllyMurs. You sound like an angel. Makes me want to cry.”

And Olly replied with a kiss emoji and the words: “Awwww thanks babe.”

In July 2016, The Voice UK coach revealed that he was still hurting after his break-up with Francesca, and wasn’t ready to get back into the dating game.

Read more: Sheridan Smith breaks silence on ‘split’ from boyfriend Graham Nation

He told the Daily Star: “I’m still trying to get over how it happened – I’m trying to get over the break-up really, you know.

“I don’t think I’m ready to meet anyone else just yet. My mates keep trying to get me to go on Tinder, but yeah – never say never.”

Never say never, indeed!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor