Housing officer X-Factor hopeful visited by Olly Murs

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Featured

A housing officer who has made it through to the next stage of the X-Factor has been visited at work by one of the show's former runners-up, Olly Murs.

Liverpool Mutual Home's (LMH) Chris Maloney (pictured centre left) was joined by Murs at the housing association's customer service centre, who had made the trip to learn more about the hopeful's background.

Murs, who was the X-Factor runner-up in 2009, even had a go at Chris' job, fielding phone enquiries from tenants.

Chris, 34, said: “My colleagues were really surprised when I turned up with Olly but he really wanted to find out more about what I did.

“He spoke to me about my career so far, where I sing, what I want to achieve in music and my approach to the X-Factor and gave me lots of encouragement so I’m very grateful.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the X Factor.  I’ve got the opportunity to work with some of the best and most experienced people in the industry so I hope I can get even better and make Liverpool really proud of me.”

Lynne Abbott, Customer Services Manager at LHM Connect who works with Chris, said: “The whole team was thrilled when Olly visited, he took time to look at the work we carry out here providing services to over 15,000 tenants in Liverpool and has been a great help to Chris.

“We are all very proud of Chris and will be following his journey in the competition and keeping our fingers crossed he can go on to win it.”