Olly Murs Opens Up About Stress Of 'X Factor' Presenting Role: 'I Was A Zombie'

'I had a week in bed when I couldn’t move.'

Olly Murs has revealed he was left feeling like a "zombie" thanks to the pressure of hosting 'The X Factor'.

The former contestant signed up to present the ITV talent show alongside Caroline Flack last year, but quit after just one series.

Olly Murs hosted 'The X Factor' with Caroline Flack in 2015
Olly Murs hosted 'The X Factor' with Caroline Flack in 2015
Syco/Thames/Corbis

He has now claimed he was exhausted by the show's schedule and the mental pressure of fronting a live TV show.

Olly claimed it hit him hard during the lead up to Christmas, where he had a "week in bed when [I] couldn't move".

Olly claims his 'X Factor' role turned him into a zombie
Olly claims his 'X Factor' role turned him into a zombie
Doug Peters/Doug Peters

Former 'X Factor' host Dermot O'Leary has since returned to host this year's series, after Caroline also quit her role.

Olly and Caroline had a mixed reception from fans after making a series of gaffes during the live shows, the most notable of which saw Olly prematurely announce the departure of contestant Monica Michael.

Caroline was recently forced to speak out on claims she and Olly had fallen out following their doomed presenting stint.

Hitting back on Twitter, she wrote: “I hate being made to make a comment on these things but I feel forced. I’m not bitter about X factor. I have not fallen out with Olly, I wanted to leave, I had the best time.

“I’m happy. Rested. Feel blessed and am looking forward to the rest of the year. Everything evolves and changes . Time to move on xx.”

'The X Factor' returns to ITV this autumn.

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Stacey Solomon (Series 6, 2009)

'X Factor': Where Are They Now?

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