Things took an emotional turn on ITV’s This Morning as Olly Murs admitted he’s ‘petrified’ ahead of his mammoth charity challenge
Olly Murs shared his fears before taking on the Soccer Aid UNICEF marathon.
Emotions were running high during the latest instalment of ITV’s This Morning, as 41-year-old singer Olly was interviewed before he set off on a five-day, 400km endurance challenge. Into The Unknown will see Olly travelling from Manchester’s Old Trafford to London Stadium, covering over 400km by running, rowing, and also cycling.
Appearing via video link from Old Trafford, Olly spoke to Jake Quickenden about the mammoth ordeal he has ahead of him. As This Morning presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley watched from the studio, Olly said: “I’m petrified, I am scared. I’m nervous, I’m excited.
“It’s here now. I’ve done the ten weeks of training, you know there’s so many people behind the cameras. There are lovely people here who have come down to see me.”
When asked which activity he’s most scared to do, Olly confessed that the idea of rowing solo is making him feel nervous.
Later in the chat, a video was shown to viewers explaining why the former Voice judge was chosen for the challenge, which aims to raise money for children affected by the war in Ukraine.
After seeing the footage, Olly fought back tears. He said: “It makes me feel really emotional actually and it makes me more determined to get out and raise as much money as you can,” he added: “All we want to do is keep our kids safe and imagine doing that with a war going on.”
Olly will run, row and cycle from Manchester’s Old Trafford, the birthplace of Soccer Aid, all the way to London Stadium in Stratford, which will host this year’s landmark match.
The gruelling five-day challenge will push him to his limits, with each stage bringing fresh physical and mental demands. From steep climbs and difficult terrain to daunting stretches on the water, it’s set to be one of the toughest tests he’s ever faced.
To add to the pressure, Olly won’t discover the route for each day until just before he begins, with the details revealed live on national radio.
With no chance to prepare ahead of time, every stage will come with a new surprise.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.