Even though he was only the runner-up in the 2009 X Factor, Olly Murs was the real winner.
Since then he has gone on to produce four best No 1 albums, he’s sold around 12 million records and amassed an estimated fortune in the region of £8 million.
As well as this he’s also become a regular fixture on our TVs as a successful presenter, with even a stint co-hosting X Factor under his belt.
However fame, it appears, has also come with a heavy cost for the Murs family. The singer has not spoken to his twin brother Ben for seven years.
By all accounts, things were not all well between the brothers before the 32-year-old appeared first appeared on the TV contest, but the serious rupture came when Olly reportedly missed his Ben’s wedding in 2009 and went to an X Factor dress rehearsal instead.
Recently the twin’s mum, Vickylynn, who has sided with Olly in the dispute, opened up about how the stress of the family rift almost caused her to have a ‘breakdown’.
However now Ben has spoken out to give his side of events. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday he said:
“I was very close to my parents, but fame and greed changed everything. My parents wanted this bright, shiny Olly with the money who can give them the VIP lifestyle. They liked hanging around with Simon Cowell, or going to Bon Jovi concerts – they loved their VIP selfies.
“I’m not interested in anything like that, I have a lovely life with my wife and kids. I’ve worked hard, been to university and got a degree, I’ve never wanted anything from Olly.
“I can’t believe what my mum did by talking about my childhood. I was so upset when I read it. Why has my mum, the person who should defend me, said things that are hurtful and untrue?”
Olly Murs’ twin speaks out about changing his surname and the seven-year silence between him and his brother https://t.co/nnrurJc7In
— Metro (@MetroUK) January 22, 2017
Problems reportedly started between the brothers soon after Ben, who is a father-of-one and successful engineer, met his now wife Amy Hart.
Ben said his family did not get on with his then girlfriend and fiancee before the pressures of fame magnified the rift. However the real rupture came when Olly didn’t attend their wedding. Ben said his parents demanded he made Olly his best man and when he refused the star then attended the rehearsal instead.
The relationship between the twins has never recovered. Things have reached the point now where Ben has ditched his surname Murs in favour of his wife’s name, Hart.
Explaining the move, he said:
“I just wanted to move on. I couldn’t cope with it all – if I went into Barclays bank, I would be asked if I was Olly’s brother. I would just say “no”. If someone called me by that name now I wouldn’t even turn around.
“Ben Hart. That’s my identity. I am blessed with my in-laws, they have supported me through this. I have had some very low times where I have cried a lot but I have spoken to them about it all and they are my safety blanket.”
He added:
“Olly has been influenced by other people, including my parents, in how he is towards me. I have got closure on it now – I’ve done what I can and I want to move on.”
