Olly Murs said he "couldn't believe" the backlash he received for the lyrics on his latest track I Hate You When You’re Drunk which fans branded controlling.
The song came under fire on social media for the lyrics which appears to criticise a loved one for drinking too much alcohol with online users drawing a link to his fiancé Amelia Tank.
Singer-songwriter Murs, 38, was asked to respond to the criticism on BBC Breakfast with hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay on Tuesday.
He said: "It’s obviously upsetting to think that people took it that way because it was not that intention. It was a song that I really related to in the studio.
"At the start of January, I had a New Year’s resolution I wouldn’t drink for a year. So, I’ve been out with my friends, my family, (thinking) I hate you when you’re drunk.
"It was never about Amelia or anyone, it was just a song that we really related with at that time. So, for people to take it that way, I was really upset by it.
"I couldn’t believe people had taken it that way which is a shame because I think the song is really great."
Murs said he understood that when you see something written it can look "a lot worse."
Let me re-introduce myself before my album drops Friday 😉 #newmusic #marryme
— Olly Murs (@ollymurs) December 1, 2022
Link: https://t.co/nfuEwBqKPp pic.twitter.com/UmCgjwakJT
He added: "When you listen to the song and you understand the type of artist I am, it was just more in a cheeky fun way.
"If there was anyone that I would thought would have got offended by it, it would probably be Amelia if she thought it was about her, but it actually wasn’t. We move on."
Source: Press Association
