Olly Murs has read a passage Caroline Flack wrote about him before her death, describing their incredible friendship.
The singer, 38, fought back tears as he tried to read the tribute Flack had written about him for his concert tour in 2018 and 2019 during an appearance on Jamie Laing’s podcast Private Parts.
Getting emotional as he read her words, Murs told the host: ‘I’m really trying to keep it together here,’ before reading her touching words.
Reading the passage, Murs said: ‘When I met Olly for the first time it felt like I had met my soulmate. Not in a weird way, it was just like meeting someone I’d known all my life.
‘I’ve never laughed as much as I did in 2011 when we first hosted The Xtra Factor together and that experience will always stay with me forever.’
Breaking down, he continued: ‘He’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever met in my whole life and he puts 100% into everything he does. He keeps the whole team going and for that I forgive him for his dad jokes.’
The Love Island host had taken her own life at the age of 40 in February 2020 and Murs admitted he was still processing her death.
Reflecting on the time before her death, he added: ‘Knowing obviously the pain she must have been in to take her own life, to hear her say “I’ve never laughed as much as I did in 2011” and that memory of us being together was one of the moments. Just little things like that…’
Murs and Flack had worked together on the X Factor spin-off show The Xtra Factor in 2011 and 2012 and maintained a close friendship until the end of her life.
He revealed that he used to look back through her messages and listen to her voice notes as he dealt with his grief but later deleted many of them, explaining: ‘I just felt there was part of me that needed to move on a bit.’
Murs did however keep certain photos and fan gifts to remember her by but no longer spends time scrolling back through her social media posts as it makes him too emotional.
Earlier this month he was among her friends and fans that marked what would have been her 43rd birthday with a tribute on Instagram showing footage of them having a great time together on the Xtra Factor.
Need support?
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you're a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS, the Prevention of Young Suicide UK.
Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.
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