HomeUK News“Sixteen years of silence… and I still think about him every Christmas.”...
“Sixteen years of silence… and I still think about him every Christmas.” Olly Murs opens up about the moment that tore him and his twin brother apart — skipping his brother’s wedding to chase a dream on The X Factor — and how that decision changed their family forever.
Olly Murs has revealed that his twin brother, Ben, still refuses to speak to him — 16 years after a rift that split the family and left their mother heartbroken.
Olly Murs has opened up on his heartbreaking family fallout in a rare interviewCredit: Splash
Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, the 41-year-old singer admitted that becoming a father himself has given him a deeper understanding of his mum’s sadness over the estrangement.
Read More
“Now I’m a parent, I can relate more to my mum’s sadness that my twin brother and I have been estranged since 2009,” Olly said. “I’ve got nothing but love and respect for him.”
Life, Work, and Fatherhood
His brother stopped talking to him when Olly skipp his wedding to compete in The X Factor
This year has been a whirlwind for the Dear Darlin’ hitmaker — from releasing a new album to touring, including a special on-stage reunion with Robbie Williams in June. “He’s been like a big brother to me over the years,” Olly added.
Olly pictured on The X Factor in 2009Credit: Rex
But his focus is now firmly on family life. Olly and his wife Amelia are expecting their second child, following the birth of their daughter Madison last year.
“Two days after Madison was born I had to go on tour supporting Take That,” he recalled. “Amelia had lots of support, but it was hard and I felt guilty. Second time round, I’m not going anywhere.”
The Rift That Started It All
Ben on his wedding day in 2009Credit: Rex Features
Olly and Ben’s falling-out began in 2009, when Olly — then chasing his big break — skipped his brother’s wedding to compete in The X Factor semi-finals. He has since admitted the estrangement has left a mark, telling The Times he battled “loneliness” in the aftermath.
“When you’ve been in the womb with someone, you struggle with loneliness,” he explained. “I was desperate to be around people. I couldn’t sit in a room alone.”
“Christmas Has Never Been the Same”
Olly and Ben were close in childhood with the singer admitting to feeling ‘lonely’ following their fall outCredit: Eastnews
Olly has made attempts to reach out over the years, but without success. In 2018, when asked by Lorraine Kelly if he could ever see reconciliation, he replied:
“I hope so. Every year I think about it — nine years, ten years. I texted him for his birthday but he changed his number. Christmas has never been the same.”
Despite the distance, Olly insists his feelings toward his twin remain rooted in love and respect. Whether the two will ever rebuild their bond remains uncertain — but for now, the silence continues.
