Millions of fans would be envious of my mode of transport - I’m on a tour bus with pop superstar Olly Murs as he travels from Manchester to Liverpool on a radio tour promoting his new single.
We meet at radio station Key 103 where Olly has just given an acoustic show, and he’s greeted outside by a large gathering of devoted teenage girls. Some have been waiting outside since 6.30am to see their idol and one smitten fan tells me that Olly is her life.
The man himself steps outside, wearing his trademark skinny jeans and beaming a big smile as he poses for countless selfies.
We board the silver love heart-decorated bus for the next stops, Capital Manchester and Heart. And then the unexpected happens as we pass Old Trafford football ground, the home of his beloved Manchester United - Olly rises to his feet and chants enthusiastically as though he’s at match day, but carefully censoring out any rude words.
Watch Olly chanting as he is driven past Old Trafford
The high spirits continue at Capital when a surprise game is sprung upon Olly, called Squatty Bum Touch, which requires him to attempt to touch a cactus, tomato sauce bottle and finally an egg with his bottom.
The cheeky challenge is broadcast on air and in the studio we get to see it all. Getting fully into the swing of things, the Troublemaker hitmaker squats in his tight trousers over the cactus - and succeeds. But he falls down at the final hurdle when trying to make contact with the egg.
Watch Olly Murs playing Squatty Bum Touch
Another hilarious moment happens as we leave the studios. A woman in the building keen to meet Olly somehow fails to recognise him as he walks out of the lift and asks “are you him?.” He assures her that he definitely is him before posing for a selfie.
Watch Olly speaking on Capital Manchester
As we hit the road for Liverpool a treat is in store when the former X Factor host and finalist, his backing singers John Allen and Darren Ellison and guitarist Ben Lyon-Smyth, perform an impromptu rendition of new song You Don’t Know Love, inspired by Olly’s split from his girlfriend (yes ladies he assures me that he is single, but he has been on a few dates).
“I’m chuffed with the new song, It has a joyous feel to it but it has sad lyrics,” he tells me.
“It’s about moving away from heartbreak and it is about the break-up with my girlfriend.”
Settling back in his seat Olly, also discusses his as-yet unnamed forthcoming fifth album due out in November, describing it as the best collection of songs he has ever written. It will also include three collaborations with other artists, but he can’t reveal who they are yet.
Reflecting on performing with Manchester manband Take That at Hyde Park at the weekend, Olly says he would love to one day write a song with Gary Barlow.
Olly looks in great shape and trains in the gym up to four times a week. He also plays football for Coggeshall Town Football Club in his home county Essex.
“I eat well, train and have good healthy food,” he says.
Olly, a United season ticket holder, is full of praise for new manager Jose Mourinho, and reckons his charisma and confidence will herald the start of a new golden era for the Reds.
He said: “I have supported them since I was a boy. Kids used to give me stick because I was from Essex and supported United but I love the team.”
Then it’s time to put a few fan questions to him - and there are some pearlers, including “how many times has he ripped his trousers!!!” - the answer is six - and “if he could be a woman for a day what would be the first thing he would do lol X.” He chooses not to answer that one.
As we arrive in Liverpool I leave Olly to greet another long line of fans waiting to meet him.
