Olly Murs on his estrangement from brother I understand Mum's sadness that I don't speak to my twin...

BECOMING a parent himself has helped Olly Murs understand why his estrangement from brother Ben affected their mum so deeply.

- BY SHELLEY SPADONI

The singer fell out with his nonidentical twin after missing his wedding — where he was due to be best man - to compete in The X Factor's semifinals.

At the time of the row, Ben said: “It was clear that people like [X Factor supremo] Simon Cowell were more important to him than me.”

Their mother Vicky-Lynn Pollard has said of the rift in 2009: “It was such a shock it made me ill. I even thought I had MS [multiple sclerosis].

“I had to use a walking stick because my legs were so weak.

“I also couldn't work. I was on the verge of a breakdown.”