Olly Murs fought back tears on Monday’s episode of This Morning as he reflected on an ’emotional’ visit to families displaced by the Ukraine war.
The Troublemaker singer, 41, appeared live from Old Trafford in Manchester to chat to Jake Quickenden about his upcoming 400km Soccer Aid challenge called Into the Unknown for charity UNICEF.
Over the next five days, father-of-two Olly will be running, rowing and cycling from Manchester to London to mark Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 25th anniversary.
The show played out footage from Olly’s visit to Romania last month, which highlighted the amazing work that UNICEF have been doing over there for families in need.
After being shown the clip, Jake said: ‘You’re getting a bit teary. How does that make you feel because it’s for an amazing cause? You’re a dad yourself.’
Olly replied: ‘It makes me feel really emotional, actually. It makes me feel more determined to come out and raise as much as I can.
Olly Murs fought back tears on Monday’s episode of This Morning as he reflected on an ’emotional’ visit to families displaced by the Ukraine war
The Troublemaker singer, 41, appeared live from Old Trafford in Manchester to chat to Jake Quickenden about his upcoming 400km Soccer Aid challenge for charity UNICEF
Olly and his personal trainer wife Amelia, 33, have two children, daughter Madison, two, and son Albert, eight months, together
‘All we want to do – and you’re a parent yourself – all we want to do is keep our kids safe. So imagine being in an environment where there’s a war going on.
‘Your first thought would be, “I need to get out of this country as quick as I can and keep them safe”.
‘That’s what families have done in Ukraine and every penny that we make on this will go towards them families to give them support and the supplies that they need.
‘Not just in Ukraine, but across the world. I’ll be thinking of them and of course I’ll be thinking of my own kids- I want to do them proud.’
Olly and his personal trainer wife Amelia, 33, have two children, daughter Madison, two, and son Albert, eight months, together.
Moments later, actor and comedian John Bishop surprised Olly live on air and told him that he would be doing part of the challenge with him.
Olly’s challenged kicked off at 10.50am on Monday and he will cycle and run to Grindsbrook in the Peak District National Park.
Speaking from the start line, Olly said: ‘Over the last 10 weeks, I’ve had no idea what the first day was going to be.
‘Today I’ve just found out it’s the steepest day and its hit me that that’s going to be really hard.
‘I’m glad I’m starting on a bike to get my legs warmed up but when we hit the Peak District, oh my god!
Over the next five days, father-of-two Olly will be running, rowing and cycling from Manchester to London to mark Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 25th anniversary
Actor and comedian John Bishop surprised Olly live on air and told him that he would be doing part of the challenge with him
‘It’s a tough terrain, I’ve seen people run it and thought they are mad, so we’ll see what happens.
‘Every penny is going to help so many families and kids around the world so please get involved and donate.
‘I’m going to need all the support I can get today and this week.’
John added: ‘I’m so proud of what he’s doing. I know what he’s going to go through and how hard this week is going to be!
‘Doing the equivalent of 10 marathons over five days and not knowing what he’s doing each day, that’s going to be the thing.’
Director of Soccer Aid, Sophie Capleton, added: ‘We’re so grateful to Olly for taking on this epic challenge all in the name of supporting UNICEF’s work to make sure that every child can grow up safe, healthy and able to play.
‘It’s going to be a very difficult week but we know that Soccer Aid fans and the great British public will be at cheering him on from homes, offices and roadsides across the country.’
Olly’s challenge will be made into a one-off ITV documentary called Olly Murs: Steps Into The Unknown – set to air on May 29 at 9:00pm. Soccer Aid 2026 will be held at London Stadium on 31 May.
For more information and to donate to Olly’s challenge visit www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
