Every year thousands of hopefuls dream of winning the X Factor, being a superstar and earning untold riches. But would they be so keen to queue in all weathers and put themselves through the tough auditions if they knew that what awaited them was a life of terrifying panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, desperate drug-taking and therapy?
That’s what James Arthur has experienced in the 12 months since he won the show. He’s even turned to God as he battles depression and crippling anxiety brought on by his amazing success.
Before show judge Nicole Scherzinger picked him for her boys’ team last year, James was a homeless lad from Teesside with a guitar and a turbulent history. At 16 his mum Shirley Ashworth had thrown him out and he slept on park benches and friends’ sofas, barely able to feed himself.
Now singer James, 25, is a household name with more than a million records sold. He’s hoping for his second No 1 tomorrow with his new single You’re Nobody ’Til Somebody Loves You.