Olly Murs breaks silence after split from long-term girlfriend

Olly Murs has spoken in public for the first time about his recent break-up from Francesca Thomas. The X Factor presenter and his long-term girlfriend were together for three years but split in mid-September.

Olly had apparently felt that the blonde model was "the first woman he planned a future with" and was particularly heartbroken.

Speaking on Loose Women, the 31-year-old confirmed: "I've just gone through a break up with my girlfriend, which has been quite sad, quite a difficult couple of weeks."

© Photo: Rex

Olly Murs admitted he has had "a difficult couple of weeks"

The Troublemaker singer then addressed the rumours of him getting together with his co-host Caroline Flack.

"Me and Caroline have always said hundreds of times (in interviews) that we're never going to get together," said Olly. "We're just really good mates."

© Photo: Getty Images

"We're never going to get together," the singer said of his co-host Caroline Flack

During his appearance on the lunchtime chat show, Olly was asked to play Snog, Marry and Avoid - choosing from X Factor judges Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and former mentor Sinitta, Simon Cowell's ex-girlfriend.

"This is tough," said Olly. "Cheryl's married, so maybe I could have a cheeky snog with Cheryl. Me and Rita are around the same age, I could marry Rita. And I might have to avoid Sinitta I'm afraid."

© Photo: Getty Images

Olly and his model girlfriend Francesca Thomas split in September

Last month it was reported that the Essex charmer and his long-term girlfriend had parted ways after going on holiday.

"The split has just happened and it is very raw for Olly, he still feels numb," a source told The Sun. "He always worried that his relationship would struggle because he'd always put his career first. Now, with X Factor and his singing on the go, that's exactly what has happened."

Olly and Francesca were most recently spotted together at the Wimbledon men's singles final in early July, but throughout their three-year romance, the pair managed to keep their relationship largely out of the spotlight.