IT’S hard to believe that more than a decade has slipped by since Essex pop prince Olly Murs burst onto the scene on The X Factor.

Now a household name and hugely successful singer/songwriter, it was back in 2009 - during the sixth series of the hit ITV show - that he first came to national attention, wowing the judges with his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”.

Judge Simon Cowell said it was “the easiest yes I’ve ever given” and Murs became part of the music mogul’s team, eventually finishing as runner-up to Joe McElderry.

Witham-born Murs put Essex on the map but do you remember the night he and Cowell came to Colchester?

Hundreds of fans turned out in a massive show of support in the build-up to the final for a one-off show at Charter Hall.

It was a spectacular red carpet extravaganza and fans rushed out to snap-up the 1,200 tickets.