By Maureen Coleman.

Fans of the gorgeous Olly Murs will be pleased to hear he has plans to release a new album "very, very soon".

The twinkly-eyed Essex boy has recently signed a joint deal with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music and Epic Records.

In what the labels are calling an industry first, the cheeky chappy X Factor runner-up will release his debut album via a collaborative deal between both companies.

Olly showed off some of that old magic that helped book him his place in the X Factor final when he was in Belfast for the live tour.

He took time out to help launch new fashion store Republic at Castlecourt and performed a few of his favourite songs, including A Fool In Love by Tina Turner and the Beatle's Twist and Shout.

Catching up with him later for a quick chat (and a kiss!), the 25-year-old told me: "The Belfast leg of the tour has been amazing. We got such a great reception from the crowd and I hope to play here again.

"It's lovely to be here in Republic today to meet the fans who helped me when I was on the show. It's down to them that I'm here."

He may not have been the winner of the X Factor 2009, but Murs looks set for huge success.

Judge Louis Walsh has predicted he will be the real victor of the sixth series.

Photocaption: X Factor runner-up Olly Murs with Sugah Showbiz Maureen Coleman at the opening of the Republic store at Castlecourt, Belfast.