IT was short but sweet, but it was all shoppers in Witham were talking about.

Yesterday, X Factor contestant Olly Murs paid a visit to his home town, stopping for almost two hours in his local, the George in Newland Street.

The singer, was followed by an ITV film crew with him as he stopped off in the town centre pub where he used to sing karaoke before entering this year’s X Factor.

Olly, 25, of Carraways, Witham, met friends and regulars and played pool.

Landlord John Fisher said: “It was quite nice and quite informal. “He was like the president, signing autographs and kissing babies.

“It was fantastic to see him. He hasn’t changed a bit.”

Mr Fisher, said the pub was packed with people watching the show at weekends, and cheering Olly on.

The visit was kept quiet so the pub would not be mobbed by fans and after a few drinks, he was whisked away in a black people carrier.