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Olly Murs has revealed that becoming a parent has helped him to ‘relate to his mum’s sadness’ over his estrangement from his twin brother Ben.
The singer, 40, has not spoken to his sibling since he missed his wedding in late 2009 to take part in The X Factor semi-finals.
And in a joint interview with his wife Amelia for The Sunday Times Magazine, Olly shared that since they welcomed their first child, daughter Madison, last year, he’s had greater understanding of the impact the fall-out had on the family.
He said: ‘Now I’m a parent I can relate more to my mum’s sadness that my twin brother, Ben, and I have been estranged since 2009, though I’ve got nothing but love and respect for him.’
‘This year I’ve been on tour and I’ve got a new album out later in 2025. I joined Robbie Williams on stage in June and it was great to catch up with him — he’s been like a big brother to me over the years.’
Olly and Amelia are set to welcome their second child together later this year, after tying the knot in 2023.
The singer added that he’s planning to be much more present this time around, after leaving home just days after Madison’s birth to support Take That on tour.
He said: ‘Two days after Madison was born I had to go on tour supporting Take That. Amelia had lots of support around her as her mum came to stay and my parents live near us in Essex, but it was hard and I felt guilty.
‘We both understand that my work isn’t like a regular job — but second time round I’m not going anywhere.’
The Dear Darling hitmaker previously shared the long-term impact his fall-out with his brother has had on him, admitting he ‘struggles with loneliness.’
He told The Times last year: ‘When you’ve been in the womb with someone, you struggle with loneliness. I had to deal with it when my twin and I went on our separate lives.
‘I was desperate to be around people, could not sit in a room alone.’
At the time, Olly did not give any indication of whether he and his brother will ever be on speaking terms again but did share that his life goal is now to be the best husband and father he can be.
He added: ‘My aim in life is to be a great husband and father – that’s where my future lies. I’d love my career to continue as it is, but when you get married and become a dad, you just want to be the best for them.’
Following the fall-out, Ben also distanced himself from his parents and their sister.
On their feud, Ben told Daily Mail in January 2017: ‘I was very close to my parents, but fame and greed changed everything.
‘My parents wanted this bright, shiny Olly with the money who can give them the VIP lifestyle. They liked hanging around with Simon Cowell, or going to Bon Jovi concerts – they loved their VIP selfies.
‘I’m not interested in anything like that, I have a lovely life with my wife and kids.’
But Olly is still keen to make amends with his brother at some point.
On burying the hatchet, the media personality explained: ‘I still want to make that change with my brother.’
Asked by Lorraine Kelly in 2018 if he though the rift could ever heal, Olly said: ‘I hope so, of course, it’s mad because every year I think about it, (will it be) nine years, 10 years.
‘I did text him for his birthday but he changed his number. Christmas has never been the same.’
