Fans are invited to let their ‘Heart skip a beat’ when Olly Murs comes to Carlisle. In a special interview with The Cumberland News, Olly talks about his love for his Cumbrian fans and mental health through lockdown.

The popstar was in the ‘right place, right time” when he was thrust in to the hearts of the nation after coming second in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009.

Since then the cheeky popstar has shown himself to be funny and entertaining by taking on new roles, such as a judge on The Voice.

Last year, the Essex singer-songwriter was supposed to be touring, something that he loves very much, but it was cancelled as a result of the pandemic.

The show is now set to go ahead on July 24 at Bitts Park, in Carlisle.

Excited to get back on stage, Olly said: “I can’t wait to get back on stage, It has been a crazy 18 months so much has gone on. There has been so many positives, but a lot of negatives.

“I feel like we’re at the other side of it now, the gates are opening and the doors are opening everywhere so, hopefully, we can get back out there and start living our lives again.

“I think it’s something we have all taken for granted that freedom we have, just being able to jump on a plane when we want to, travel round the world if we want to but I think we have gone from such a difficult time. But if everyone can keep positive, we’re at the other side of it now and almost everything is getting back to normal and we can start living.”

This isn’t the first time that he has graced the stage in Carlisle – in 2011 he played at the airport, then in 2017 he played at Carlisle’s Brunton Park.

At the time, Olly Murs said his gig at Carlisle was “phenomenal” – and declared his Cumbrian fans “legends”.

Scores of people came from across the county to the gig.

He wowed fans with hits including Troublemaker, Dance With Me Tonight and Years and Years. The singer got a massive response from the Cumbrian crowd, who cheered, screamed and sang while dancing the night away.

And just as he had hoped, Olly was blessed with sunshine and fine weather as he took to the stage.

Recalling the previous visits to Carlisle he said: “I can remember it being so far away from Essex, it was mad I had never been that far north before.

“It was an amazing place, It was a long time ago though and I’m looking forward to coming back.

“Last time the place was rammed, there was such good vibes and that’s all you want when you do a gig.”

After more than a year in lockdowns he hopes in the future to take advantages of holidaying in the UK. He said: “I’ve alway visited Cumbria on tour and I’ve not been socially, it’s a shame because there are so many beautiful places that I wish I could get to more often but I’m always working. Hopefully I can do a few more staycations.”

Not wasting his time through the pandemic he has continued to entertain his fans on social media he said: “I have really enjoyed TikTok, people on there are fun, I feel like the people on there are like me, a little bit weird, different and like weird, stupid, funny videos or I prank my girlfriend.

“People on that app just get it, they just seem fun.

“I feel TikTok is something really fun and I just really enjoyed that feel good factor of it and I really enjoyed making the videos, I loved it.”

Importantly he can’t wait to get on the stage again and see his ‘phenomenal’ fans he said: “It’s massively important to get back on stage.

“I feel like it has been a massive hole in my life, I love singing, I love performing for people, that’s what I do for a living, it’s what I have done for so many years.

“To not be able to do it and go through a pandemic while I recover from serious knee injury. It has been a long time being away from singing and performing. I miss it so much. It’s going to be amazing, I just can’t wait.”

Music is a huge part of people's lives and listening to live music can give a boost to mental health he said: “I like to think that people will get a boost when they come but there will be people who say ‘Oh shut up I don’t want to listen to Olly Murs’.

“I’m a positive person and my music is, if you’re coming to one of my shows you know you will have a good time it’s going to be fun and exciting.

“Getting out of the house and watching live music is so important for people's mental health.”