IF X-Factor runner-up Olly Murs’ debut single doesn’t make the top spot, he might just feel a little relieved.

That’s because of a promise he made if he made number one.

“I said if I get to No 1 I’ll do a naked photoshoot for Heat magazine,” says the Essex boy.

“Every gig I do my fans try to get me to take my clothes off, so it’s a promise to them. I’m sure that’s one magazine my mum and nan wouldn’t be framing.”

He’s had a busy time since coming second to Geordie winner Joe McElderry last December. “Everything’s going really well, the single’s going really well and the feedback has been fantastic,” he says as the release of the reggae-tinged Please Don’t Let Me Go fast approaches.

“Of course, I’m apprehensive and nervous too. I feel different every day, but I’m just happy and hopeful we get what we want. Every artist wants a No 1, so we’re aiming for that.”

He talks a lot about his family and friends and, from the sounds of it, they’re clearly very important to him and have stopped success going to his head.

“I don’t think I’ve changed since X Factor, I’m probably a bit more confident than I was, and I hold myself a bit better, but I have to be like that because I can’t be getting too drunk in clubs and at parties,”

he says.

Murs has already mastered the art of talking a lot without giving too much of himself away. “There’s a time and place for all that, but if I was to start acting like a div, they’d soon straighten me out.”

WHAT has changed is that a year ago, no one knew anything about the call centre worker and now, the 26-year-old is a household name and recognisable face.

“I’m getting used to the attention. It was a shock, but it’s part of my everyday life now. My friends and family still find it hard, but this is my job and you have to accept what comes with it.”

Only recently, the singer was branded a “self-absorbed sell-out” by his twin brother, whose wedding Murs missed last summer – and whether his last comment refers to that is unclear.

Murs took to Twitter to defend himself, saying neither he nor X Factor were to blame for the breakdown in their relationship.

“The press are very clever,” he SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010 northernecho.co.uk TV & ENTERTAINMENT 21 adds. “They delve and look into your past.

I remember in my first interview I just spoke freely about everything and the next thing ex-girlfriends were getting called up.

“The main thing is I’m very happy with my life and I’ve never done anything I’m ashamed of. I’m no different away from the camera than I am on it.”

As well as the single, he has an album due for release in November. He worked with a number of big-name writers and producers on it, including Trevor Horn who’s worked with big names such as Paul McCartney, Tom Jones and Tina Turner.

Murs, though, had no idea who he was.

“I think it was a good idea I didn’t know him before I met him, I would have been too nervous,” he said.

Coming second clearly isn’t that bad.

“You know, I was so disappointed,” he says. “I went on it to win, but it came down to a public vote and Joe won.

“He’s a very good singer, a great, lovely guy and very popular, so he deserved it. If I didn’t like him it might be harder to feel okay about it, but there’s nothing bad I can say about Joe.

“Sitting here, with a single and album ready to come out though, it doesn’t feel like I lost.”

■ Olly Murs releases his debut single Please Don’t Let Me Go on Monday.

■ X Factor is on ITV1 tonight, at 7.30pm and The Xtra Factor on ITV2 at 8.45pm.