Olly Murs to concentrate '100 per cent' on new album

After much soul searching, Olly Murs has decided to leave his role co-hosting the X Factor to return full-time to his first love, being one of the UK's most successful artists.

Olly informed X Factor producers, Fremantle and Syco Entertainment, of his decision earlier this month.

Olly says: "This was an incredibly hard decision to make and one I didn't take lightly as I've really enjoyed co-hosting the X Factor with Caroline Flack," Olly explains. "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 per cent on making my next album and getting back to performing.

"Last November, I was doing the show and promoting a new single and I felt increasingly like the music side of things had to be shoehorned into the TV schedule. Now that I've started working on my next album, I just couldn't see myself having the time to do both in the best possible way."

Simon Cowell says: "Since appearing on the X Factor Olly has become a household name and a real star. Working with him has always been great fun. It was fantastic having him on the X Factor last year and now this year he has to concentrate on his new album. In addition to this, we have agreed to work on some other TV projects together in the future".

Olly has already started work on a new album, his 5th, which will be released later this year.