James Arthur has finally had a moment of clarity after he told his crowd at V Festival that he has been a "bit of a d**k" over the past few months.
It's clear that James is feeling a bit contrite after his past year causing havoc on Twitter. There was the feud with former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan, and one with Frankie Boyle - OH and another online fight with the very lovable Matt Lucas.
Even Louis Walsh had washed his hands of the Middlesbrough singer as he called him "ungrateful" and "a competition winner who got lucky". Ouch.
But after his gig at V Fest on Saturday (16.08.14), it seems like JA has seen the error of his ways. He told the crowd: "Thank you for sticking around for the whole set. I've been a bit of a d**k in the past. I've made some mistakes ... All that matters is love and positivity."
James Arthur has admitted he's been a bit of a "d**k" recently (WENN)
That's not all. The musically talented John Newman has also come to James' defence, saying that he believes James was "thrown to the wolves" after winning the X Factor in 2012.
Talking to heat Radio, James admitted that he wasn't ready for the singing competition. He shared: "When you know who you really are, you can definitely be more yourself.
"John Newman is right, I was unprepared for the music industry. I've made mistakes but I'm really not going to dwell on that anymore. I'm looking to give people new music whether they want it or not, and it will be the best music I'll ever create.
James before his first audition for the X Factor (ITV Pictures)
"I'm in a great place to make music and be an artist and public figure again. It's been the biggest fight of my life – I've come up against it with anxiety and depression but I've come out of it and on the other side, and I'm good... I'm really happy."
No shame, James. Plenty of X Factor alumni have spoken about their struggle to adjust to life outside the ITV programme and some have tried to erase their talent show past.
Cher Lloyd
Cher Lloyd has also admitted that she felt "pulled and tugged in different directions" when she found herself on the stage of the most popular talent show in the UK. She told the Guardian: "I was so young when I went on the show and I've always wanted to do this but I didn't have a clue about it.
Cher has grown up a lot since appearing on the show (WENN)
"It was a massive self-confidence thing. I was OK before – I was the sort of girl who didn't really care what people thought of me, so to be put in that position was quite hard. So then what I'd do is put this massive barrier around me."
Steve Brookstein
The show's first winner Steve Brookstein has gone down in the X Factor history books for his disastrous career following his victory on the ITV programme in 2004.
Steve Brookstein has struggled to find his place in the industry after falling out with Simon Cowell (WENN)
In an open letter to the top three finalists on last year's show which saw Sam Bailey crowned as the winner, Steve warned: "[Be] careful. Look at the people who have been getting support. They aren't always the best but they are the most easy-going and easy to work with. You have a great voice but don't believe that this gives you the freedom to be creative."
Matt Cardle
Matt Cardle revealed he wasn't too happy with the way his career was being pushed post-X Factor (WENN)
2010 winner Matt Cardle told Look magazine in 2011 that he "massively compromised" himself for the X Factor and complained profusely about the yellow jeans and make-up he was forced to wear for his Saturday night performances.
He grumbled: "I hear people in the street saying: 'There's the guy that won X Factor.' I can't wait for that to just disappear."
Frankie Cocozza
Frankie had nothing nice to say about X Factor boss, Simon Cowell (WENN)
Bottom-flashing contestant Frankie Cocozza just had lots of bad things in general to say of his experience on the X Factor. Talking to Star magazine in March 2013, Frankie revealed his desire to "spit" in Simon Cowell's eye. Lovely.
The singer, who was kicked out of the show after alleged drug taking, told the mag: "Nah. I'd like to meet him now so I could spit in his eye."
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