AS he stood on stage this weekend just days after welcoming his second child, Olly Murs appeared emotional as he made a shout out to his wife telling her he would be straight home.
For many, it might have seemed like a normal comment for a new dad, but we can reveal the secret torment behind promise to post-partum, who was sitting at home with their two infants.
Olly Murs and wife Amelia have welcomed their second child
The star appeared on stage for Radio 2 In The Park in Chelmsford just days after his son’s birth
Olly has been secretly struggling over being estranged from his twin brother Ben
Behind the happy Instagram snaps as his family expands, insiders say Olly, 41, has been struggling more than ever with the biggest tragedy in his life – the ongoing fall-out with his twin brother Ben -and the birth of his son has ‘opened old wounds’.
Insiders say Olly still has no way to contact Ben, despite numerous efforts to reach out to him: “It’s a huge blow and utterly heartbreaking – he had really hoped that things would change now he is a parent.”
The once inseparable brothers haven’t spoken for over 16 years after Olly – now infamously – opted to skip Ben’s wedding in order to perform for a spot in the final of during the semi-final knockout week.
The decision has had huge repercussions, and while Olly has gone on to have a successful and lasting career – it’s come at a bitter personal cost.
Furious Ben said at the time: “Our family was torn apart because of X Factor. It was clear that people like were more important to him than me.
“I don’t care about the superstar , I don’t need his money or his life.”
And as Olly and wife Amelia, 32, – the pop star has found himself further from a reconciliation than ever before.
Our source told us: “Olly is beyond heartbroken that his brother has never met his wife or his children – with every milestone the sadness deepens and it never gets easier for him.
“Ben is always in the back of his mind and every day he wishes things were different between them.”
“He’s reached out to Ben before many times and tried to end their rift – he has sent texts, birthday presents, cards etc, but unfortunately Ben doesn’t want to know now – and never will at this rate. He even changed his number to stop Olly contacting him.”
Olly recently admitted he understood the fall-out had impacted his family after becoming a dad himself.
“Now, I’m a parent I can relate more to my mum’s sadness that my , though I’ve got nothing but love and respect for him,” he said last month.
The Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker announced last week that Amelia had given birth to a little boy called Albert – a little brother for their first child, a daughter named Madison, born in April last year.
Sharing a picture as he left hospital alongside his bodybuilder wife and his two children, the star wrote: “Walking out as four. Welcome to the world, our little Albert.”
Olly and Amelia shared their happy news over the weekend – and Olly was straight back to work
The singer’s career has always been his priority – until now
His decision to miss his twin brother’s wedding for an appearance on the X Factor, pictured, had devastating consequences
Ben hasn’t spoken to Olly for over 16 years
Three days later, Olly was singing on stage at BBC In The Park.
As he kicked off his show, he said: “I’m here at Hylands Park with all these beautiful people, I love you, and when I finish I’ll be straight home I promise!”
It was in stark contrast to after the birth of his first child when he headed off on tour to support – just two days after Amelia had their daughter.
Reflecting on that experience, Olly admitted: “It was really hard for me as I had to leave two days after the baby was born to go on tour with Take That.
“I didn’t really process it at the time and a few months later me and Amelia were chatting and I just broke down in tears as I never got a chance to actually get to know this little baby.”
Insiders close to Olly say he vowed to be more present this time – telling us: “It was really hard for him going on tour just after Madison was born because it sort of reminded him of Ben a bit and how he was performing on X Factor instead of being at Ben’s wedding.
“He made sure Amelia and Madi were with him every step of the way and the whole family went on tour. He never wants to put his work before his family again, he’s older and wiser but also Olly is a really devoted dad and Amelia is a supportive partner – she knows everything Olly does is for her and his children, he’s the best dad.”
Olly has vowed to make sure his family always comes first
Olly and his twin Ben as toddlers
Despite having his own family around him, Olly has been very candid about dealing with loneliness, previously saying: “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.”
He still has another hurdle to overcome – Christmas – which is always particularly painful as the family divide is always more prominent than ever before.
The insider added: “Now he’s a dad he’s concentrating on making it the best ever for his kids.
“The hurt will never go away but the memory of Ben is fading for sure, he has accepted that they won’t see each other again but he’s comforted by the fact he has done absolutely everything he could to try to fix things.”
Olly’s rep has been contacted for comment.
Olly and Amelia wed in a star studded ceremony in 2023
The couple had their first baby in April of last year
Olly has been as busy as ever on the festival circuit 
