Olly Murs has told today's Independent Newspaper (February 24) about the stress branching out into TV presenting caused him:

"I was worried that doing the TV show would kill my music career ... I've never walked into a room and been arrogant or confident [sic] or horrible to anyone. I've never belittled anyone. I've always been caring. And being seen like that – a nice bloke – was important to me.

"But now I was doing TV, and I was getting criticism every day – blogs, tweets, and you lot, the media. They hated me, I was a wanker, I was crap, I couldn't dress, I couldn't sing, I was rubbish on TV… Suddenly it seemed like nobody liked me. I didn't like that feeling. Didn't handle it well at all."

Speaking on the subject of fame, the 28-year-old said: 

"It's down to bloody hard work, if you ask me. I'm not sure people realise. When you see fame, famous people, on the telly and that, it all looks so easy… red carpets, falling out of clubs, girls. But in reality, it's hard work, relentless hard work, day and night.

"To get anywhere in this industry, you need to be a workaholic. That's what three years in this business has taught me."

The Essex boy admits he always wanted to be famous, but thought he'd be famous for football not singing. A leg injury forced him to give up pursuing playing football professionally. He always knew that he wanted to be famous for a talent not just for the sake of fame itself.

When he is touring, he goes straight to bed to prepare for the next working day:

"Take tonight, for example," he says. "I'm doing this show here, there'll be some other bands around, a few footballers probably. I'm sure a lot of other people would say, 'Let's get the gig out of the way, and then have some drinks, get drunk. Yeah, we're working tomorrow, but sod it, who cares?'

"Me, I'll go straight home, and to bed. I will. I've got work in the morning, you know? And tomorrow is another day. Got to keep focused, got to keep working at it. If I don't, who will?"

Olly Murs' new single, 'Army Of Two' will be released on March 10.

Watch Olly Murs' video for 'Army Of Two', and his interview on 'Alan Carr: Chatty Man' below: