Olly Murs says he misses Caroline Flack ‘every day’ as he dedicates song to her

Olly Murs dedicated the song Dear Darlin’ to Caroline Flack onstage during Radio 2 In The Park at Hylands Park(Credits: PA)

Olly Murs moved fans to tears during his set for Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford on Sunday.

The singer, 41, dedicated a heartfelt performance to his late friend and former co-presenter Caroline Flack.

Murs, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2009 and went on to score chart-topping hits with Heart Skips A Beat, Dance With Me Tonight and Troublemaker, returned to his home county of Essex for the BBC festival.

Performing to a packed Main Stage crowd, Murs paused mid-set to introduce one of his most personal songs, Dear Darlin’.

‘This next song is one of the hardest songs for me to sing,’ he told the audience.

‘Five years ago, I lost a really important person in my life, Miss Caroline Flack. She took her own life five years ago, someone I miss every day, someone that I wish was here today to be in this moment.’

The moving moment comes just days after Murs welcomed his second child (Picture: Katja Ogrin/Getty Images)

Murs and Flack were a popular on-screen duo, co-hosting The Xtra Factor in 2011 and 2012, and remained close friends beyond their presenting days.

Flack, who went on to front ITV’s Love Island, died in February 2020 at the age of 40.

Reflecting on Dear Darlin’, Murs added: ‘When I wrote this song, I didn’t realise the impact it would have, not just on my life but the people around me and particularly some of my fans that are here tonight.

‘So if there’s someone that you wish was here today, someone that you miss very, very much, I’d love you guys to help me sing this song.’

The pair weren’t just professional collaborators, but also close friends (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage) Murs said Flack is ‘someone I miss every day’ (Picture: Nikki Houghton/FilmMagic)

The tribute marked a tender moment in an otherwise upbeat set, with fans visibly moved as they joined in on the chorus.

It was also a significant weekend personally for Murs, who performed just three days after becoming a father for the second time.

The Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker and his wife, bodybuilder Amelia, 32, announced the happy news on social media with a sweet photo of them leaving the hospital as a family.

Olly is pictured holding a baby carrier in his right hand and their first child, little Madison, born last year, in his other arm.

‘Walking out as four. Welcome to the world, our little Albert,’ they wrote alongside the picture, as fans and friends congratulated the new parents.

Acknowledging the timing while on stage, he looked into the stage cameras and addressed his wife Amelia: ‘Wife, I am so sorry I am here at Hylands Park with all these beautiful people. I love you and when I’m finished I’ll be straight home, I promise.’

It was a tear-jerking performance, to say the least.

Earlier in the day, American singer-songwriter Anastacia warmed up the Chelmsford crowd with a hit-filled set, belting out classics such as I’m Outta Love and Sick and Tired.

In a surprise moment, she was joined on stage by TV personality Rylan Clark for a duet of Left Outside Alone, sending fans wild.

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