Colchester goes mad for X Factor finalist Olly Murs

The X Factor golden boy, who hails from Witham, warmed up his vocal chords ahead of Saturday’s grand final, with a showstopping performance at Leisure World.

From as early as 3pm, Olly’s fans started arriving in the leisure centre car park, in a bid to get as close to the red carpet as possible.

He was initially scheduled to arrive at about 6pm.

When he arrived with music mogul Simon Cowell, at almost 7.30pm, there were thousands of fanatics chanting the 25-year-old’s name.

Burly minders followed his every move and security guards had to hold barriers in place as fans eagerly jostled to reach out and touch the singer.

There were plenty of high fives and handshakes as he greeted close friends and family, including his mum Vicky and dad Peter, in the VIP section.

He also shared a joke as one of his pals, perched on someone’s shoulders, shouted “Olly, give me my guitar back”.

On his Essex return to perform in Colchester, Olly said: “It’s great to be back in Essex.

“Seeing everyone out there supporting me was phenomenal.

“I was completely gobsmacked.”

On the possibility of returning to work at the Witham call centre, he said: “I haven’t missed the call centre at all.

“I have missed my friends and family because I’m a working class boy and my old colleagues are great but if I went back there it would be a failure.”

The county’s first X Factor finalist caused scenes rarely seen at Leisure World, as police on horseback marshalled the crowds.

Chanting, singing and plenty of screaming could be heard streets away, as children, parents and grandparents alike eagerly anticipated his arrival.

Heart FM had the crowd singing on the mic while they awaited Olly and his mentor Cowell. Rows of adoring girls screamed back: “Murs, Murs, Murs”, after Martin and Su, from Heart, chanted: “Olly, Olly, Olly”.

Supporters of the former call centre worker went mad as he pulled into the car park in a black Rolls Royce.

The crazed reaction from adoring fans is something Olly will have to get used to, if he beats Joe McElderry and fellow Essex finalist Stacey Solomon, from Dagenham, at the weekend.

For about 15 minutes, with Cowell alongside him, he milked the chanting, applause and demands for autographs.

The Witham wonder kissed mums and daughters as the X Factor theme tune played aloud.

Footballers, playing on the nearby artificial pitches, even ran over to catch a glimpse of the popular crooner.

Summer Dalglesh, 11, had come straight from Philip Morant School, to join grandmother Shirley Pendleton in the queue.

“I’m really excited about seeing him live,” Summer said.

“He’s got all the moves and personality and he’s just got to win.”

Sisters Leanne and Kimberley Toynton know Olly from Witham and described him as “a top guy”.

“We know him from parties and gigs he did with his band,” said Leanne, 19.

“I last saw him a month before the show and he was saying about how he wanted to make it big. I never thought it was just talk because he’s a true performer.

“I hope he wins, but it all depends on whether he gets decent songs for the final.”

Six-year-old Rio Hughes had taken his place next to the red carpet, with his mum Hayley and nan Molly Bond.

“I think Olly is brilliant and is going to win,” said the Monkwick Infant School pupil.

Hayley, of Lord Holland Road, Colchester, said: “I hope we’re close to the front. Rio’s been watching it all, but we have to record the results show for him because it’s a bit too late.

“The Jedward twins were his favourites and he cried when they went out. But he’s always liked Olly.

“I think Olly’s a real entertainer and I went to school with the show’s presenter Dermot O’Leary. He was exactly the same then, a real clown.”

Leanne Panton, who works at Leisure World, was there with colleagues. “Olly gives everything he can and he’s got the whole lot – signing, dancing, charisma and sexiness,” said the 27-year-old.

“It’s been quite frantic here organising everything and there have been all sorts of rumours.

“I even heard Robbie Williams was coming, but that would just be too good to be true.”

Police had called in the the cavalry for Olly’s visit.

Alongside hordes of burly security guards patrolling the red carpet, four van-loads of police officers and two police horses were at Colchester’s Charter Hall.

Colchester district commander, Chief Insp Adrian Coombs, said: “We just didn’t now how many people would turn up for the event, which was organised at 48-hours notice.

“Anything from 600 to 6,000 people have turned up at similar events. As for any public event, security is down to the organisers, but we’re here just in case any issues arise.

“There were be additional patrols in Castle Park and the town centre through the night.”

Traffic management plans were drawn up by police to cope with an expected influx of cars heading to the gig, with late-night shopping in the town centre as well.

He added: “If needed the council can stop people coming in to Leisure World and only allow people to turn left out of it. Our main aim was to keep Cowdray Avenue flowing.”

Mr Coombs also said he had been “forced” to watch the show with his family, but thought Olly was “a real entertainer with a real chance of winning”.

IN FRIDAY'S GAZETTE: WHY I'LL WIN, BY OLLY... PLUS MORE PICTURES FROM THE COLCHESTER SHOW

View all of the photos from Olly's Colchester gig by clicking here!