The 41-year-old X Factor star left fans shocked and disappointed last Thursday after he walked off stage in the middle of his set at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. The singer was only twenty minutes into his performance before he unexpectedly dashed off the stage, telling fans: “This has never happened to me before, but you can hear my voice is going.”  

After coming 2nd in the 2009 series of The X Factor UK, Olly Murs soared to success. Over his more than 15-year-long career, Murs has achieved 5 number 1 albums and several number 1 hits in the UK, such as ‘Troublemaker’ and ‘Dance With Me Tonight’.

Currently, he’s amidst his ’15 Years Of Hits’ tour, supported by boyband Blue, playing for thousands of fans in gigs across the country. He kicked off the tour on 24 April, in Plymouth, and has since extended the tour, adding extra dates due to popular demand. 

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A post shared by Olly Murs (@ollymurs)

Prior to this, only one day into the tour, Murs had to postpone his gigs in Brighton and Hull, due to an outbreak of gastroenteritis infecting his band and crew. Murs assured fans that the dates would be “rescheduled as soon as possible.” His Hull show was on 20 May, and his Brighton show is due to take place on 27 May.

In a video shared by The Sun, taken from the Glasgow show, Murs explains his reasoning for cancelling on stage. He tells fans: “I wouldn’t want to continue on and just ruin it for you guys because it’s a really great show. I’m really proud of this whole production and how it’s looking, how it’s sounding, and for some reason, five songs in, my voice is going. That is so unlike me, so I just want to say sorry from the bottom of my heart.

“I don’t want to upset you guys, I’m so sorry. We’ll sort out refunds for anyone that’s unhappy, but Glasgow, I will be back to see you guys soon. I’m so sorry. I’ll see you soon. I love you all.

“That’s the best I can do, so sorry.”

Since then, Murs has scrapped a further two shows on his tour, in Manchester and Birmingham, stating that his reason for doing so, and for walking off in Glasgow, was his poor health. He tells fans in a post on Instagram that he has “been instructed to go on a strict 48 hour voice rest by the doctor to ensure no further damage to my vocal cords.” He still hopes to perform a show tomorrow, 25 May in the O2 Arena in London.    

 

 

 

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For the most part, fans have taken to social media to share their support and understanding, though many have also shared their criticism and frustration.

One fan on X shares: “Take care for yourself. A performance can be redone, but a permanently damaged body is harder to fix.”

However one asks: “Surely […] the decision could have been made earlier? We came from England, dogs in kennels, hotel, holiday booked!”

Another jokes: “There will be no dancing with Olly Murs tonight at the Hydro.”

There will be no dancing with Olly Murs tonight at the hydro

— kieran (@kieran_ashton1) May 22, 2025

Tickets to catch the end of Olly Murs’ ’15 Years Of Hits’ tour are available here.