Olly Murs claims he and Caroline Flack weren't allowed to be themselves on 'The X Factor'.
Olly Murs
The 32-year-old singer and his 37-year-old pal were widely criticised for their hosting on the show last year but he insists it wasn't entirely their fault as producers just wanted them to control the programme in the same way longstanding host Dermot O'Leary - who has returned this year - always had.
He said: "I had a fantastic time on the show but people were quick to judge.
"I think we probably got criticised as we pretty much said and did the same things Dermot did - and that's not what we wanted to do. We wanted to be ourselves - to have a laugh and not read the script that often. We weren't really allowed to do that. At the same time, we were coming into a very well oiled machine and to change the script on our first year was difficult. I feel the media treated us harshly but that is part of being on the biggest show in the country."
Olly insists he never took his departure from the show personally as he didn't want to return for this series anyway.
He told Closer magazine: "Simon Cowell and I get on great. I don't take anything to heart and I had decided to leave the show anyway. I don't know if they were going to give me the job.
"I'm sure they already had discussions with Dermot. I was happy to walk away."
But the 'You Don't Know Love' singer admitted he hasn't had much contact with Caroline since their stint on the show ended.
He said: "To be honest, we haven't spoken loads. We've had chats and odd messages.
"We spent big chunks of last year together - it was a very intense time.
"We're still mates - she's doing her thing and I'm doing mine."
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