POP idol Olly Murs is looking forward to playing live at Powderham Castle on Saturday, July 29.

Up to 12,000 fans are likely to see Olly, whose latest album 24 Hrs was his fourth consecutive number one hit.

The popular singer-songwriter is one of British music’s biggest stars with record sales exceeding 10-million and demand for Powderham tickets has been high.

He said: ‘We’ve played at the castle before; the venue is iconic – being on stage and seeing a castle – I mean it’s pretty awesome really!

‘These are fun gigs, gigs I wanted to do. I had options to go to different parts of the world and do different things and I just felt that I hadn’t done a summer tour of the UK for quite some time — the last being in 2013.

‘So it’s been four years since I’ve done a summer tour. And as an artist you do all the arenas but not everyone wants to go to an arena; not everyone can make it. So I wanted to go around the country.

‘I like Exeter – it’s a place that doesn’t necessarily get big gigs all the time. It’s great to come and do gigs like this down at Powderham. Hopefully all the fans will come along. I hope that I’ll put on a fantastic show.’

Olly, currently on a sold-out arena tour, added that he loved playing festival-style outdoor concerts.

‘Outside gigs are different because families can come, they bring their kids and it’ll be a lovely sunny night – I think.

‘I’m thankful to be doing it. As a gig it’s very different to an arena. In the arena people sit down and watch it; at an outdoor festival people are livelier – it’ll be a fantastic day out for the family.’

Olly also revealed what sort of show he will be putting on for fans at Powderham.

‘High energy excitement, I think a real fun entertaining show. I don’t think I’ve ever done a show that’s sad or there’s no energy or it’s flat. The kind of show I do, it doesn’t matter who you are you’ll come and have a great time.’

Olly, whose special guest will be 2015 The X Factor winner Louisa Johnson, added: ‘I think Louisa’s got incredible potential to be a huge star. She’s only been out for a year or so; she’s young and an incredible singer.

‘I worked with her on The X Factor when I was presenting the show. She’s an incredible talent with her first album coming out.

‘I’m really chuffed that she’s going to be my special guest on the show. Fans will get to see how incredible she is as well.’