Olly Murs Breaks Silence on Terrifying Selfridges ‘Shots Fired’ Panic: ‘I’ve Never Been So Scared’

Pop star Olly Murs has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, but even he admits there’s one moment that left him paralyzed with fear. In a raw new interview, the X Factor alum revisits the infamous 2017 “Selfridges Panic”—a chaotic incident on London’s Oxford Street that spiraled into a very public war of words with Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan.

“I have never felt that scared in my life,” Murs told i newspaper, still visibly shaken by the memory. “What annoyed me was that it was made to look like I just went into Selfridges and decided to cause mayhem.”

The Day Oxford Street Turned Into a War Zone

It was a chilly November afternoon in 2017—Black Friday, to be exact—when Murs decided to pop into Selfridges for some holiday shopping. What started as a routine errand quickly devolved into terror. A physical altercation on a nearby Tube platform at Oxford Circus sent shockwaves through the crowded streets.

Murs, like hundreds of others, heard screams and saw people stampeding toward exits. In a state of panic, he fired off a now-infamous tweet: “F**k everyone get out of Selfridges now gun shots!! I'm inside.”

Police evacuated the entire store and shut down Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations. Sixteen people were injured, eight requiring hospitalization. But after an exhaustive search, authorities found zero evidence of gunfire. The Metropolitan Police released a statement confirming there was “no evidence of any shots fired.”

The Piers Morgan Feud That Exploded

Enter Piers Morgan, never one to miss an opportunity to call out a celebrity. Morgan—then a Good Morning Britain host—publicly scolded Murs for spreading “false information.” His tweet was blunt: “Stop tweeting mate. Nothing happened.”

But Murs wasn’t about to back down. The two engaged in a blistering back-and-forth that unfolded in real time on Twitter. Murs defended his actions, arguing that staff and customers inside the store had screamed “shots fired,” leading him to believe there was an active shooter.

“If you was there you’d have understood mate,” Murs shot back. “In a state of shock and panic I was trying to make people aware of what was happening. Which I was led to believe by staff and customers that someone was shooting.”

The feud became tabloid gold, with Morgan accusing Murs of “causing unnecessary alarm” and Murs insisting he was just trying to help. To this day, the singer says he still feels unfairly judged.

From Essex Boy to Global Star: The Olly Murs Arc

That chaotic moment on Oxford Street is a footnote in a career that has seen Murs rise from a carefree X Factor contestant in 2009 to a bona fide pop superstar. His debut single “Please Don’t Let Me Go” shot to No. 1, and he went on to release five chart-topping albums. He’s hosted TV shows, appeared on The Voice as a coach, and even graced the stage at Soccer Aid’s annual charity match at Old Trafford.

But the journey hasn’t been all glitter and gold. Murs has weathered personal tragedies, public breakups, and the relentless pressure of fame. His vulnerability—whether discussing his mental health or his late friend Caroline Flack—has only deepened his connection with fans.

Steps Into the Unknown: Soccer Aid’s 20th Anniversary Challenge

Now, Murs is channeling that same resilience into a punishing new physical challenge. As part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 20th anniversary, he’s undertaking a 400km endurance journey from Manchester to London. Over five grueling days, he’ll conquer steep ascents, vast distances, and even stretches of open water.

The challenge, titled Olly Murs: Steps into the Unknown, airs tonight (Friday, May 29) at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. It’s far from his first charitable endeavor—Murs has long been a tireless philanthropist.

• He represented England in Soccer Aid’s annual fixture at Old Trafford multiple times.
• He climbed mountain peaks in the Lake District in tribute to Caroline Flack, who died by suicide in 2020.
• He has donated to countless children’s charities and mental health organizations.

The Caroline Flack Shadow That Still Lingers

Among Murs’s most emotional philanthropic efforts was the Lake District climb, which he undertook to honor his Xtra Factor co-host and close friend Caroline Flack. Her death at age 40 devastated the entertainment world, and Murs has spoken candidly about the grief and guilt he carries.

“She was the most loyal friend I ever had,” he once said. “I still think about her every day.”

For fans, the climb was a powerful reminder of Murs’s authenticity—a quality that has sometimes been overshadowed by the Selfridges fiasco. Yet even as he forges ahead with new projects, that day in 2017 remains a scar he can’t quite heal.

The Verdict: Was Olly Murs the Villain or the Victim?

Public opinion has softened over the years. Many now view Murs as a victim of circumstance—a panicked shopper who reacted the way anyone might in a perceived life-or-death situation. Others still side with Morgan, arguing that a celebrity of his stature should have verified the information before tweeting.

What’s undeniable is the residual trauma. Murs admits the incident left him wary of social media and of being judged. “I was just reacting off the back of the drama with hundreds of other people,” he said. “It was terrifying.”

As he gears up for his latest endurance test, Murs seems determined to reclaim the narrative—not as the star who caused a panic, but as the one who turns fear into fuel.

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