EXCLUSIVE: Marvin Humes sat down with Olivia Dean for her first radio interview of 2026
They chatted about The BRITs, new music, tour and reality TV
Last updated 6 hours ago
Following on from Olivia Dean's amazing wins at this year's BRIT Awards, where she picked up the highly-coveted British Album of the Year for 'The Art of Loving', along with three other BRIT Awards, she joined Marvin Humes for an EXCLUSIVE chat on Hits Radio.
During the first week of Marvin's new show on Hits Radio, he and Olivia spoke about her influences growing up, her upcoming tour, a third album, and which reality TV show she could see herself taking part in.
They also spoke about her experience at The BRIT Awards 2026, having previously attended in 2016 when she attended BRIT School, which are produced several famous artists including Adele, RAYE and and Jessie J.
Watch the full interview with Olivia Dean below:
What reality TV show would Olivia Dean take part in?
Chatting to Marvin, Olivia revealed that she's taken up a new hobby. The singer has decided to have salsa lessons, explaining: "I've been doing salsa lessons recently.
"Just learning a new skill that's completely separate from my music and still in music, but not that like, I don't know, I'm trying to do anything with it."
However, when Marvin asked if we'll be seeing her doing any salsa moves in her music videos, she immediately said: "No!" Before continuing: "Well, you know what, never say never."
This led Marvin on to ask if she would consider taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, to which she replied: "I actually would… Don't... I actually would," however it was a different story for I'm a Celeb, as it was a definite "No!", despite Marvin's encouragement speaking from his experience in the jungle a few years ago.
Olivia's influences growing up
The 'Man I Need' singer admitted she loves a bit of Usher at the moment but growing up her influences were Lauryn Hill, Carole King and Amy Winehouse, she went on to explain: "I just, I love music. I think I just, as long as it's a good song and the lyrics are good and it comes from somewhere, I probably like it."
These days, she's a fangirl of Beyoncé, Solange, Rihanna and anyone "that just is kind of unapologetically themselves.
"I admire those people, Diana Ross as well," she continued, saying: "I think that she is someone that I've always looked to for style inspiration."
Olivia at The BRIT Awards 2016 vs 2026
Olivia stormed the BRIT Awards in 2026 picking up four awards, but a decade ago she was watching the show from the pit. Remembering the night 10 years ago, she told Marvin: "That night (The BRITs) was just so surreal. Like the year that I went in 2016, it was like when Rihanna and Drake performed.
"And I remember being in the pit, I think Little Mix performed as well, and I was like, this is unreal. And so to think, 10 years later that I would get, a BRIT is just... it's crazy.
"And I think I would just tell that version of myself just to keep going. Just keep going, even in the times where you're just like, have no clue what I'm doing or this feels difficult or it's not working."
Things were very different this year, with the singer performing 'Man I Need' on stage, and picking up her awards. She told how she met fellow performer Robbie Williams backstage and he was "lovely".
"He's so lovely," she told Marvin. "And like he really came over and was just like, are you OK? And I had a lovely chat with him, so I was pretty starstruck."
"I also saw like RosalÃa in the corridor and I was like, oh my god, RosalÃa. And I was like, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god."
'The Art of Loving Live' tour
Later this month, Olivia will be embarking on her 'The Art of Loving Live' tour, starting in Glasgow on 22nd April 2026, the singer revealed how she wants her fans to feel "warmth and togetherness" after her show, however maybe also a bit emotional.
She explained to Marvin: "I think we're going to go on a bit of an emotional journey, but I think the feeling that I want you to feel is just warmth and togetherness.
"I want people to feel like they can come and sing along, do you know what I mean?
"And dance, but maybe also cry. Just get it all out."
Her third album
Olivia has already released two albums, her debut album 'Messy' was released on 30th June 2023, followed by 'The Art of Loving', out on 26th September 2025, which shot straight to Number 1 in the UK charts.
When Marvin asked if there was another album on the way, she admitted: "To be honest, I'm really in tour (mode). Like I'm really trying to stay in the world of 'The Art of Loving' and thinking about building the show and elaborating on the songs in that way."
Although she explained: "I'm always writing in my mind in some capacity. But yeah, I will make another album. I might as well."
She also revealed earlier in the interview that she had a lot of songs that didn't make it onto her latest album, admitting: "There was definitely loads of songs that didn't make the album, but I might still do something with them. I don't know."
How to listen to the interview in full
You can listen to the full interview of Olivia Dean chatting to Marvin Humes on Rayo.
How to listen to Marvin Humes on Hits Radio
You can listen Marvin every weekday between 1pm and 4pm on Hits Radio. You can listen to him across the UK on FM, DAB, online, downloading the free Rayo app and through your Smart Speaker.
Take a look at tours coming up in 2026:
Leigh-Anne
Leigh-Anne has now started her 'My Ego Told Me To Tour' in support of her debut solo album which was released on 20th February. She's playing dates in Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and London as part of a wider European tour.
Alex Warren
'Ordinary' singer Alex Warren is heading to this side of the pond very soon with UK tour dates from 20th April to 6th May. He'll be visiting London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Belfast and Dublin.
Louis Tomlinson
Following the release of his first new music in three years, 'Lemonade', and the release of his third solo album 'How Did I Get Here?', Louis Tomlinson is going on a World Tour in 2026. The singer will perform seven dates across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2026.
NE-YO & Akon
NE-YO & Akon will be co-headlining their 'Nights Like This Tour' this April and May in the UK. They will be performing in Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London before continuing their tour in mainland Europe and North America.
Madison Beer
Madison Beer has announced 'The Locket Tour' will be coming to the UK, playing in Manchester and London in May 2026. The 'yes baby' singer will be supported by Isabel LaRosa and Lulu Simon in the UK.
Zayn
Zayn announced he would be going on tour in support of his fifth solo album 'Konnakol'. The singer will take to the stage across the UK in May, where fans can expect to see him perform his latest single 'Die For Me'.
Example
Example will be going on tour in May 2026. The singer is known for his hits 'Kickstarts', 'Won't Go Quietly' and 'Changed the Way You Kiss Me'. He will be performing five dates across England in May 2026.
'Clubland Arena Tour 2026'
'Clubland Arena Tour 2026' has been announced featuring Cascada, Ian Van Dahl, and Darren Styles. Taking place across two weekends in May, the events will take place in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Aberdeen with a new show in Leeds.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat has announced UK dates for 'Tour Ma Vie World Tour', which will see her performing across the country in May 2026. The 'Say So' singer will start her tour in Glasgow on Thursday 21st May 2026, followed by dates in Manchester and Birmingham, ending her run in London at the O2 Arena on Friday 29th May.
Scissor Sisters
The Scissor Sisters have now announced outdoor dates across the UK in May, July and August 2026, including several festivals - Mighty Hoopla, Rock Oyster Festival and Boomtown Festival. 'The Kiki Continues' will start in London in May. They will also be supporting Duran Duran at American Express presents BST Hyde Park on Sunday 5th July.
James Arthur
James Arthur has announced two dates for Summer 2026. The singer will play in Scarborough and Halifax in July at outdoor venues. He told his fans they would be 'very special shows'.
Lewis Capaldi
In September 2025, just a few days after he started his autumn tour, Lewis Capaldi announced lots of Summer 2026 dates! He then added to these dates after they sold out very quickly. He will tour the UK and Ireland in June, July and August.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles announced 12 dates at Wembley for his 'Together Together' tour as part of a bigger 50-date tour across seven cities. The singer will perform 12 dates between 12th June and 4th July, however most dates have sold out!
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars has announced 'The Romantic Tour', named after his album of the same name (released in February). The singer will play six dates at Wembley in July 2026.
Pitbull
Pitbull has been announced as the headline act for several gigs for the summer. After the success of his 'Party After Dark Tour' in 2025, he will be returning to the UK for gigs in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast as part of a larger tour including dates in Ireland. The gigs take place across June and July 2026.
Ariana Grande
In August 2025, Ariana Grande announced she would be going on 'The Eternal Sunshine Tour', including five dates in the UK, she quickly added another five, and will now be performing 10 dates at The O2 Arena in London. The singer will be coming to the UK in August 2026.
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, Westlife revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff has announced 'The Lucky Me Tour' which will see the 'Mature' singer return to the stage in four cities across the UK, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Glasgow this September. Her UK leg is part of a world tour which spans seven countries.
Niall Horan
Niall Horan will be taking his 'Dinner Party' album on tour in September and October 2026. Fans can expect the singer to be performing his old music along with some of his biggest hits. The singer starts his UK tour in Birmingham on 22nd September, before travelling across the UK, ending in London on 2nd October.
The Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls have reunited and will be playing a massive 53 dates around the world for their 'PCD Forever Tour', celebrating 20 years since 'Don't Cha' and the release of their debut album 'PCD'. Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts will begin in Birmingham on Tuesday 29th September, ending in London at The O2 Arena on Tuesday 13th October.
Noah Kahan
Noah Kahan will be bringing his 'The Great Divide' Tour to the UK this autumn, where he will be performing in Glasgow, Manchester and London. See the full list of dates and how to get tickets.
Hits Radio Live 2026
Hits Radio Live 2026 has now been announced at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Friday 20th November 2026 and Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 21st November 2026. Buy tickets now!
Everywhere At Once (2026)
Everywhere At Once is a new nationwide grassroots music festival from Music Venue Trust and The National Lottery, running 26–28 June 2026 in place of the Glastonbury weekend. Hundreds of grassroots venues from Inverness to Penzance will host major artists, touring acts and emerging local talent, bringing curated live music directly into local neighbourhoods. The initiative extends The National Lottery's long-term support for grassroots music, following schemes like Revive Live and United by Music. Audiences can also donate to music charities including War Child, Nordoff and Robbins, Help Musicians UK and Teenage Cancer Trust.
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