Former 'X Factor' finalist Olly Murs, who appeared on the show in 2009, has opened up about the struggles of moving from the confines of the popular UK TV talent show to the mainstream industry. 

During a new interview with the Evening Standard newspaper, he confessed that graduating from 'The X Factor' is a strange experience because you're suddenly launched into the spotlight with no prior training or knowledge of that world:

"X Factor artists are labelled puppets. When I came off the show I was a bit of a rabbit in the headlights. This is all a bit new to me. Now I’ve got to write my own album — are you serious? I’ve never written a song in my life!’"

"And then, as with any job you go into, you’re learning ... in the second year I got a bit more experience and started making a few more decisions in the studio."

Olly Murs, who will release his highly anticipated new studio album 24 HRS on November 11, added that he's proud to finally be seen as a fully-fledged artist after working so hard over the years: “It is nice to be seen as an artist now... to get a bit of respect from the industry and your peers.”

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Watch Murs in action below: