Olly Murs once provided the narration of a DVD titled the 7 Deadly Sins of Football, so I challenged him to come up with the corresponding deadly sins of pop stardom. Having racked up eight UK top 10 singles this is, after all, something the British singer – who performs at du Arena on April 28 – should be much more qualified to talk about.
“Privacy,” says the 32-year-old heart-throb. “That can be a deadly sin – that’s something you have to withhold, to adapt and understand – because as soon as you become famous you are a public figure and a lot of your privacy is taken out of the window. It’s all out there for everyone to see, and people want to know everything about you.”
Murs is speaking from experience. About seven years ago, he was thrust into the spotlight almost overnight, from recruitment consultant in a small Essex town to household name, after appearing as a contestant on the UK's The X Factor in 2009.
He was an audience favourite and, two days after finishing in second place, was offered a record deal by music mogul Simon Cowell. Soon after came the release of Please Don't Let Me Go, the first of his four No1 singles to date, which have included high-profile collaborations, such as Troublemaker with Flo Rida and Heart Skips a Beat with Rizzle Kicks. Four of his five albums have also claimed the top spot.
“People around you, yes-men,” says Murs, choosing for his second “sin”.
“The one thing I’ve been able to keep on track is I’ve still got a lot of friends from back home. This job hasn’t changed me that much. One of the deadly sins is getting involved with people who aren’t necessarily in it for your best interests – they just want to hang around you because you’re famous.”
What else? Gluttony? Extravagant spending on expensive cars? Trashing hotel rooms?
“Those are all fun – you have to live, do [these things] at least once,” says Murs. “All the other stuff, trashing hotel rooms, I’ve never really done it but there have been times where I’ve had people back for parties and the hotel room’s gone crazy and got smashed up – but that’s not because I did it.
“So, they’re all things that even if you’re famous or not famous, everyone’s been in a situation like that.”
Then there is the classic showbiz vice of jealousy. When I spoke to Murs, a little more than a month ago, Ed Sheeran occupied 16 spots in the UK's top 20 singles chart, igniting a heated debate about whether the format was "broken" in the streaming age. Murs – who hired Sheeran as a writer for his 2010 tune Love Shine Down – is having none of it.
“Listen, if it was me in Ed’s shoes, I’d be absolutely loving it,” says Murs. “Ed’s great – he’s a mate of mine. It might look a freak, but he’s not. Ed deserves it.”
Not even a smidgen of rivalry?
“There’s always rivalry, but listen, Ed’s in a different world,” says Murs. “At the same time he’s humble with it. He’s a top guy. I’ve only got admiration. If anything it makes me want to work harder. Ed’s Ed – he’s just brilliant.”
While the phenomenally successful Sheeran is facing something of a critical backlash (reviewers who embraced the naked heart of albums + and × have sensed cynicism in this year's third album ÷) Murs is experiencing the process in reverse.
Initially dismissed as the illegitimate offspring of reality TV, after five albums and seven years in the limelight, the critical mood has thawed as writers have embraced the flagrant everyman behind the music.
Last year's 24 Hrs LP was met with a begrudging respect, while a warmer press embrace greeted Murs's 2017 arena tour, which began in March and will keep him on the road until August.
Reviewers up and down the UK have praised the singer’s cocky charisma and polished showmanship. Is it, I whisper, now OK to like Olly Murs? The singer bursts out laughing.
"Of course, it was a battle for a good two, three years for me – coming off X Factor and trying to prove to people that I'm a credible artist," says Murs.
“It’s a great feeling to get to where I am now, and not just be getting, ‘Oh, you’re just that guy from a reality show’.
“It’s been a great six, seven years, and it’s got me a gig here in Abu Dhabi – so I’m looking forward to the sun.”
• Olly Murs performs at du Arena on April 28, tickets Dh250 from www.thinkflash.ae.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
