Olly Murs was born in Witham, Essex. His parents are Vicki-Lynn and Peter Murs.
He attended Howbridge Junior School in Witham and Notley High School in Braintree, Essex where he excelled at football and later played semi-professionally for Witham Town. However, his football career was ended following a damaging injury.
Before auditioning for 'The X Factor', he was a recruitment consultant and had a covers band called Small Town Blaggers. 
In 2007, he won £10 on the gameshow 'Deal or No Deal'.
In 2008, he went backpacking alone in Australia.
He had already auditioned twice before for 'The X factor' but never made it past producers.