Olly Murs opens up about post-X Factor depression and drinking problem: “I was like a zombie”

You know that saying “be careful what you wish for”? Well, Olly Murs knows it all too well.

The Essex cutie has revealed that he suffered with depression after his* X Factor* success.

Olly spoke to Event magazine, saying: "It was straight off the back of the* X Factor* tours. I was drinking too much, I'd always want a drink – vodka and orange – before I performed. You have this split personality.

"I was like a zombie but underneath it all, I was just worrying about what was going to happen to me and I was actually depressed.

Olly has revealed that it was his management who intervened and put him on the road back to happiness.

"I burst into tears and they told me to take a break. It's crazy, but that was the last thing you expect to hear. You almost expect them to say, 'Well goodbye then'.

"But they had more faith in me than I had in myself and they also realised I was burnt out. It took two weeks for me to sort myself out.

"I came back and everything just flew from that point. Of all the things you need to hang on to, your head is the one that counts."

Sounds like Olly’s got his head sorted now – and good on him for speaking out. And things are definitely going well for him now – his new album, Never Been Better, hit number one. We reckon there’s something in that title, too.

What a cheeky chappy...