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Olly Murs thinks X Factor needs a ‘three or four year break’ as Simon Cowell announces new all-star show

The singer told The Sun Online that viewers need a rest after 15 series of Simon's hit talent show

OLLY Murs thinks The X Factor would benefit from a "three or four year break" as he snubbed Simon Cowell’s talent show.

The music mogul is giving the traditional X Factor format a year off in 2019, introducing celebrity and all-star versions instead.

Olly Murs
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Olly Murs told The Sun Online that viewers need a rest from The X FactorCredit: Getty - Contributor

The Voice coach Olly, 34, said about the move: "I'm not surprised (Simon is doing a celebrity X Factor) because I think the show has been around for so long.

"Like any show, I was only on Dancing on Ice the other day, I remember when it had a three or four year break, and sometimes shows need that."

It comes amid the news that The Voice has nabbed two X Factor stars as guest mentors for the show.

Both 2012 winner James Arthur and former judge Nicole Scherzinger have signed up to the rival series.

Simon Cowell
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Simon employed Olly as a presenter on The X Factor after he came runner up on the talent show in 2009Credit: Rex Features
Relieve insane performances from The X Factor's celebrity special

Simon will no doubt be unimpressed by the news, with Olly previously admitting the X Factor mogul stopped speaking to him when he first signed up to the show.

When quizzed about the move at the Global Awards in Hammersmith, Olly gushed about The Voice going from strength to strength.

He said: "We're just doing our own thing on ITV and The Voice.

"I think our show this year has been amazing."

 Simon Cowell has pulled the plug on this year's X Factor as part of a huge overhaul of the show
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Simon Cowell has pulled the plug on this year's X Factor as part of a huge overhaul of the showCredit: PA:Press Association
The X Factor
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The X Factor will return this year as an all-star celebrity versionCredit: Rex Features
 James Arthur won The X Factor in 2012
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James Arthur won The X Factor in 2012Credit: ITV

Singer Anne-Marie has teamed up with Olly, and Olly Alexander from Years & Years will be helping to mentor Jennifer Hudson's acts.

Although The Voice and The X Factor now both air on ITV, there is still a huge rivalry between the two shows - with Simon being left fuming when Olly Murs signed up to judge on the show for a second series rather than the one that made him famous in 2009.

Olly first joined The Voice in 2017 and last year Simon is reported to have offered the Troublemaker singer a £3million deal to judge on The X Factor instead.

 X Factor alumni Olly Murs has nabbed Anne-Marie as his acts' mentor
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X Factor alumni Olly Murs has nabbed Anne-Marie as his acts' mentorCredit: ITV
Global Awards at Hammersmith Apollo
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Olly Murs spoke to The Sun Online at the 2019 Global Awards at Hammersmith ApolloCredit: PA

Olly previously admitted that it was "difficult to tell Simon no", but insisted that he made the right decision by staying on the rival programme.

Meanwhile, Simon snapped up former Take That star Robbie Williams and his wife, Ayda Field, to judge on The X Factor.

The Voice's Knockout rounds will air from Saturday 16 March.


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