Olly Murs has quit his position as co-host of The X Factor.
Murs joined the show for the 2015 series, presenting alongside Caroline Flack. He previously appeared as a contestant on the show, finishing as the runner-up behind Joe McElderry in the sixth series of in 2009.
Murs said that the decision not to continue was based on his commitments as a solo artist. “This was an incredibly hard decision to make…. I’ve really enjoyed co-hosting The X Factor,” he told The Sun.
“It’s been one big adventure and I loved every minute of it. But my heart belongs to music and I want to concentrate 100% on making my next album and getting back to performing.”
GettyHe follows judge Nick Grimshaw in exiting the show, the Radio 1 DJ announced his decision to quit last week. The Grimshaw joined the show’s judging panel last year, sitting alongside fellow new recruit Rita Ora and show stalwarts Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.
Despite the show’s falling ratings, ITV has recently confirmed that The X Factor will remain part of its primetime programming “into 2017 and beyond”.
The future of Caroline Flack as host remains unconfirmed.