OLLY Murs will be the first of the three pop runners and riders to play at York Racecourse this summer.

His concert will take place after racing next Saturday, July 1, a new raceday on the Knavesmire calendar which sees the Knavesmire course introduce a third concert for the first time.

Jess Glynne will perform on July 28 and the re-formed All Saints will follow suit on July 29 on the annual Music Showcase Weekend, but 33-year-old Olly has the first crack of the whip next weekend.

The Essex pop singer and television presenter, who shot to fame as the runner-up on the 2009 series of The X Factor, previously played a Music Showcase concert on Knavesmire course in 2010. "I'm really looking forward to playing York Racecourse this summer," he says. "It'll be one of the first chances I'll get to play tracks from my 24 Hrs album in the sunshine, so will be a special show to share with my fans. I love a day out at the races too, so can't wait to get in the crowd during the day to place a cheeky bet."

What does Olly remember of his 2010 show? "You're talking about 2010, so it's a bit of a blur, but I remember it being a huge show with 40,000 there. You've whetted my appetite even more by reminding me of that show," he says.

Playing in the open air, as Olly will do again at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on July 9, brings its own demands. "For me, it's all about enjoying it, having a good time, playing to what's like a festival crowd," he says. "For York, I'll be trying to get there early enough to enjoy the horseracing...

"...It would be rude of me not to have a little flutter on a few races. 100 per cent I'll be doing that – and I'm hoping to arrange tickets for some friends to come up and enjoy the days with a few light beverages."

Songs from Olly's chart-topping fifth studio album, last November's aforementioned 24Hrs, will be prominent in his two North Yorkshire summer gigs. "Most excitingly, the show's about bringing those songs to life. I've not sung any of those songs live outdoors until this summer, so, for me, it's an exciting time, letting the fans hear these songs live."

Tickets for next Saturday's York Race meeting/Olly Murs concert are on sale on 01904 620911 or at yorkracecourse.co.uk; for Scarborough, scarboroughopenairtheatre.com, ticketmaster.co.uk or in person from the box office in Burniston Road.