James Arthur
Biography
James Andrew Arthur, born on March 2, 1988, in Middlesbrough, England, is a singer and songwriter who rose to prominence after winning the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012. From a young age, Arthur was involved in music, writing and performing in various bands since he was 15. Before his breakthrough on The X Factor, he had independently released an album titled 'Sins by the Sea' in 2011 and uploaded his music to SoundCloud and YouTube.
The X Factor and Debut Album
In 2012, Arthur auditioned for The X Factor, where he was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger. His winner's single, a cover of Shontelle's "Impossible," debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and became the most successful winner's single in the show's history, selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide. His follow-up single, "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You," reached number two. In November 2013, he released his self-titled debut album, "James Arthur," which peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album also featured collaborations with artists like Emeli Sandé.
Career Developments
After a series of controversies, Arthur parted ways with Syco Music in 2014. He signed with Columbia Records in 2015 and made a significant comeback with his second album, "Back from the Edge," in 2016. The lead single, "Say You Won't Let Go," became a global hit, reaching number one in the UK and charting on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. The album itself also debuted at number one in the UK.
Subsequent Albums
Arthur has since released several more albums. His third album, "You," was released in 2019 and debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart. This was followed by "It'll All Make Sense in the End" in 2021, which peaked at number three. His fifth studio album, "Bitter Sweet Love," was released in 2024 and became his second UK number-one album. He also released a visual album titled 'Pisces' in 2025.
Personal Life
James Arthur has been open about his struggles with mental health and the pressures of fame. He grew up in foster care for a time during his teenage years. Arthur has a daughter named Emily, born in 2022, with his long-term on-and-off girlfriend, Jessica Grist. He has stated that becoming a father has significantly changed his perspective on life.