Starstruck's Olly Murs says working alongside Shania Twain on the show was a "pinch yourself moment" because he's admired her for years.
Olly Murs was starstruck working with Shania Twain
The 57-year-old star has joined Adam Lambert, Beverly Knight and Jason Manford as a panellist for season two of the ITV talent show, which will see the ‘Troublemaker’ hitmaker reprise his presenting role.
The pop star, who rose to fame after finishing second in the 2009 series of ‘The X Factor’, couldn’t believe his ears when he heard Shania had signed up for the show.
Olly, 38, told Closer magazine: “It’s definitely a pinch-yourself-moment for me. To hear that Shania was doing the show I was like, ‘Wow. That’s another picture to put on the wall’.
"It’s one off the bucket list to meet Shania and be in her company – someone that I’ve admired from afar for so many years. It’s awesome.”
The talent series, which debuted in February last year, features a singing contest in which members of the public attempt to recreate musical hits by impersonating showbiz stars in a bid to win a £50,000 cash prize.
He added: “It’s happy, fell-good Saturday night television.
"This format works for me because I love music. I love performing for people and I love entertaining. If the right show comes along then I’ll do it.
"I’m trying to juggle a lot of things at the moment, but hosting is definitely something I’d like to do more of.
“Season two will have lots of surprised in store, It’s gone up a notch.”
Country legend Shania - who has sold more than 100 million records, making her the best-selling female artist in the genre’s history – was beyond flattered when asked to join the panel and touched by the Shania impersonators.
She said: “The panel and Olly are all so great – I love them! I wasn’t worried about it, but you never know with personalities.
“Everyone is so lovely. They’re very welcoming and complementary, and there is a great mutual respect among all of us – a real immediate camaraderie.
“I was really flattered, it was like a career highlight.
“The woman put their heart and soul into doing the best Shania they possibly could. I was really touched.”
Tagged in Shania Twain Adam Lambert Olly Murs