‘It was a squeeze’: James Arthur talks about dealing with fame and ‘traumatic’ X Factor win…as he insists it was the ‘best and worst’ experience of his life

After winning The X Factor in 2021, James Arthur became an overnight success, selling over 30 million records worldwide.

But fame wasn’t all it should have been for the singer, 35, who admitted it was the “best and worst” experience of his life.

Appearing on This Morning on Thursday, James opened up what became a ‘pressure pot’ after previously describing how he has battled a long battle with depression and suicide attempts in the past.

Looking back at a clip from when he won the ITV show, James admitted he found it “triggering” to watch.

He explained, “It was the best and worst experience of my life. It was a pressure pot. I struggled in the aftermath.

“When I see that…it has given me this incredible career. But it was also traumatic.’

When asked if he has any advice for people going into TV talent shows, he said: ‘There’s no handbook for anyone.

“I was plucked from oblivion. Most people on X Factor are like me, they come from nowhere, they’re not prepared for fame.

‘I wasn’t prepared for it, I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. Not to be famous or to be judged on that scale.’

He continued, “I think I always thought I’d get somewhere in music because I had an unwavering belief in my music.

‘I didn’t think X Factor would be my route. I ran out of money, my mom bribed me, she said I’d give you a tenner if you auditioned for the X Factor.

“I am so grateful to Simon Cowell for continuing to give me opportunities. I wouldn’t have been able to break through without the X Factor, because you need money.

“I grew up with rock music, but to be known as a balladeer is great.”

However, a lot has now changed for the Say You Won’t Let Go hitmaker, since he welcomed a baby girl, Emily.

James welcomed the toddler with his girlfriend Jessica last November and said she changed his view of “everything.”

James gushed, “She’ll be nine months next week. It has given me a completely different perspective.

“I’m a bit of a softie now. It has changed my view of everything.

“When I’m trying to tap into that headspace about love, she’s on my mind right now, I’m writing about her.” She is my inspiration.

“Music has always been a friend to me.”

He continued, “I am relaxed. Every time I’ve been here in the past or done live TV I’ve been riddled with anxiety, but having a kid has driven me crazy.”

This isn’t the first time James has spoken out about his paternity.

Last month, the singer revealed that while he still suffers from depression, being a father has kept him from spiraling out of control.

Speak against new magazine, James revealed, “She’s been so good to me, mentally, I think. She has become my anchor. ‘

He explained that being a father changed him and as soon as Emily was born, he felt like he “grew up overnight.”

James added: People often say I’m emotionally intelligent, but I didn’t really understand the real point of life. I had an unhealthy obsession with just wanting to be recognized for my music.

“Now that I have Emily, I realize my whole motivation has changed. I’m super happy with my life.’

James previously revealed that they named their newborn daughter as a touching tribute to a miscarriage the couple suffered last year.

Last year, James revealed that his single Emily, which contained a message for a future child, was written while his partner was pregnant – but she tragically lost the baby.

James penned emotional lyrics as an ode to his then-unborn baby, including “I’m going to propose to your mother” and “I feel a love I just can’t believe – You are everything.”

Speaking on Andy Jaye’s An Hour With podcast, James said that when he put the song together his partner was pregnant and so the lyrics were meant to tell the child that the singer was “living with an empty soul” until she came along.