Olly Murs tells X Factor finalists: "Sing like it's your first time"

Olly Murs has revealed his advice to the X Factor contestants ahead of the final: "Sing like it's the first time we've ever seen you".

The singer, who was a runner-up on the ITV talent show six years ago, has co-hosted this year's series alongside Caroline Flack.

The remaining acts, Che Chesterman, Louisa Johnson and Reggie 'N' Bollie, will compete for the top spot on Saturday and Sunday's shows.

Murs said: "I would say the best thing that Simon (Cowell) said to me was, go out there, forget about everything. Just think of it like your first audition, that you're out there to impress us for the first time again.

"And that's what I said to a couple of the guys. Just go out there and just sing like it's the first time we've ever seen you again. And just enjoy it. It's about enjoying it - you're performing at Wembley in front of 10,000 people on the biggest show on TV, so you've just got to go out there and enjoy it, embrace it, have a good time.

"And think to yourself, you know what, I want to come back here on my own tour at the end of this experience. I want to come back next year after I've sold a massive album, massive single, I want to come back and sell out Wembley."

But he added: "I can obviously give these guys advice, but I never won the show so I don't know how to win."

Murs, 31, has forged a successful pop career despite not being crowned winner in 2009. His hits include Dance With Me Tonight, Troublemaker and Dear Darlin'.

He said: "The X Factor's the X Factor, I learnt the hard way, the X Factor is what it is. It's here, you've got to let it get to the next level and keep staying here, and keep working hard, good music. It's difficult."

Co-host Flack told the Press Association: "I'm really excited about the final. We just want to finish on a high, that's the aim. We want to finish on Sunday and feel like we've had the best time."

Flack, 36, also presented spin-off series The Xtra Factor alongside Murs between 2011 and 2013, and has gushed about their friendship.

She said: "We've become closer. I didn't think it would be possible. I always think I'm going to find out something about him and think 'oh, you're not completely perfect' but he kind of is, it's annoying!

"We've become better friends because we've needed each other more. It's tougher presenting the main show and we've had more stuff to deal with so we've been there for each other, which is really nice."

:: The X Factor final will air at 8pm on Saturday and Sunday on ITV.