Simon Cowell convinced Olly Murs to take up the presenting spot on ‘The X Factor’ over a curry.
The ‘Troublemaker’ singer – who will replace Dermot O’Leary in fronting the show alongside Caroline Flack this year – has revealed the 55-year-old music mogul approached him about taking on the role on the ITV show after cooking him up an Indian feast at his home.
Olly added he enjoyed tasting each of the curries while Simon shunned the spicy dishes in favour of a Shepherd’s pie as the pair chatted about his future on the series.
Olly said: "He asked if I wanted a curry and I said I love curry.
"So I go round to his house and he has all these amazing curries that have been home-made in his kitchens.
"There was a spicy chicken curry and a milder one, and all these dishes of chutneys and poppadoms and naan bread, a proper feast. And then at his end of the table there was this huge bowl of shepherd’s pie.
"He said, ‘I decided I didn’t want curry in the end, so I’m having shepherd’s pie. But I know you wanted curry’.
"So all these dishes were just for me and he had this minced beef!
"I had to work my way through all these different curries on my own and we had a good chat about the show."
However, his future co-star Caroline, 36 – with whom he previously hosted the spin-off show ‘The Xtra Factor’ in 2011 and 2012 – admitted she was only offered a glass of wine along with the part.
The brunette beauty – who was crowned champion of BBC One’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ last year – told The Sun newspaper: "I definitely didn’t get fed! I had one glass of wine, that was it.
"I went to see Simon in January for a general catch-up and we talked about Strictly and all sorts of other things. But nothing was really mentioned about me doing X Factor.
"It was just a nice catch-up because I hadn’t seen him for ages.I thought he was going to offer me some kind of big new show! Then nothing happened afterwards and I was like, ‘Oh’.
"Then when Dermot said he was leaving, things happened quite quickly."
Olly added he hopes the duo will bring "fun" and youthfulness to the show which will be reflected in their outfit choices.
He explained: "Look, we’re young, we’re fun, vibrant, energetic people, so I think that’ll come out in our style. I don’t think I’ll be wearing suits every week."
Caroline said: "I’m not going to wear long, glitzy, figure-hugging gowns. No. It’s not me.
"I’m excited to up the look a bit and make it a bit more sophisticated. I still want it to be edgy though."
Simon Cowell convinced Olly Murs to join X Factor over a curry
