Olly Murs' mother has admitted that the feud between her two sons left her on the "verge of a breakdown"”. Vickylynn spoke of her heartbreak over Olly's twin brother Ben’s decision to disown the family following a row between the two siblings, and revealed the extent that his estrangement has had on her health.
"It was such a shock it made me ill," the 55-year-old told the Sunday Times Magazine. "I even thought I had MS – I had to use a walking stick because my legs were so weak. I also couldn't work. I was on the verge of a breakdown.
Olly Murs and his mum have opened up about twin brother Ben's estrangement from the family
"I'm much better now but my heart is broken. Ben's broken my heart and his dad's, but I will not hear anything against him. I don't think he understands what he's done. I'll go on loving him and sticking up for him until I die."
Olly, 32, also spoke to the magazine about the rift. He added: "We don't speak to my twin brother and that's been extremely difficult. Long before X Factor there were problems between Ben and his girlfriend and our family.
"He made the decision not to speak to the family… but the door's always open for him to come back."
The problems between the two brothers came to a head after Ben's wedding in 2009, which Olly missed to compete in the X Factor semi-finals (Olly eventually came runner-up to Joe McElderry). Speaking afterwards, Ben slammed his brother for not attending.
Olly and Ben pictured together before their fall out
"Something was missing and that was Olly," Ben told the News of the World. "It's clear people like Simon Cowell are more important to him than me…
"Our family was torn apart because of The X Factor. Things have got to the point where if I have children, I don't even want Olly to meet them.
"I watch my brother – the same person I shared a womb with – on TV now and it's like I don't even know who he is."