Everything you need to know about James Arthur
He's had an amazing career so far!
The X Factor winner James Arthur has had a super successful career since winning the popular TV series in 2012. Singer-songwriter James' hits include his gorgeous cover of 'Impossible', and his fantastic collaboration with Anne-Marie, 'Rewrite The Stars', which was a cover of a song from The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
In 2025, James has released his song 'Celebrate', along with 'Embers' and 'Karaoke', and his sixth album 'Pisces'. He also announced a tour for 2026 in support of his visual album, and some Summer 2026 dates, so let's get to know more about him right here.
Who is James Arthur?
James Arthur started playing in a band when he was a teenager, however his pop music career really started back in 2011, when he uploaded some tracks to SoundCloud and YouTube. It was in 2012 when he auditioned for The X Factor that his career sky-rocketed.
James won The X Factor and his winner's single, 'Impossible', went on to become the most successful winner's single at the time, selling 2.5 million copies worldwide.
How old is he?
James was born on 2nd March 1988, meaning he is currently 37-years-old.
Where is James from?
James was born in Middlesbrough and he began performing in pubs and bars when he was a teenager.
What year did James Arthur win The X Factor?
James Arthur won The X Factor in 2012 with Nicole Scherzinger as his mentor. James' winner's single, 'Impossible', went on to become a UK Number 1, and the most popular winner's single at the time - selling millions of copies around the world.
Just like One Direction, who were runners up in The X Factor back in 2010, James has had a number of popular songs, including, 'Say You Won't Let Go', which was his second Number 1 hit.
In September 2025, James reflected on his time on the talent show, telling his fans: 'Although this guy was crippled with Demons and anxiety, there was a fearlessness in these performances. The vocals are far from perfect but we now know that perfect is way overrated, in fact I think we’re all sick of things sounding and looking inauthentic. I never thought about what I was doing here, It truly was just raw expression and seemingly it was moving the audience and people at home.' (sic)
What did he do before going on The X Factor?
Before going on The X Factor, music had always been a big part of James' life. He started off singing in a band as a teenager, he then went on to write his own songs, even releasing an album independently in 2011 called 'Sins by the Sea'. Also in 2011, he began to upload some of his music to SoundCloud and YouTube.
How many albums does he have now?
As well as the independently released album 'Sins by the Sea', he has released six other studio albums; his self-titled, 'James Arthur', in 2013, 'Back from the Edge' in 2016, 'You' in 2019, 'It'll All Make Sense in the End' in 2021, 'Bitter Sweet Love' in January 2024 and 'Pisces' in April 2025.
Is James Arthur going on tour?
Following his 'Bitter Sweet Love World Tour' in 2024, James is preparing to embark on 'The Pisces World Tour'! Performing across the UK in February 2026, James will perform at venues in Nottingham, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and plenty of others.
He has also announced two dates in the Summer 2026. The singer will be performing in Scarborough and Halifax in July 2025.
Personal life and family
After meeting on The X Factor in 2012, James had an on-off relationship with Jessica Grist which reportedly ended for good in 2024, with someone close to the couple telling the Mirror they'd "grown apart".
The former couple welcomed a daughter called Emily in November 2022, with James announcing her birth on social media with a video saying: 'Dear Emily, Welcome to the world'.
James opened up in an interview with OK! telling them that becoming a dad had changed him. He revealed: "As soon as she was born, I felt like I grew up overnight.
"People often say I’m emotionally intelligent, but I failed to really understand what the real point of life was. I had this unhealthy obsession with just wanting to be recognised for my music. Now I’ve got Emily, I realise my whole motivation has changed. I’m super happy with life."
Before the birth of his daughter, James released his single 'Emily' in September 2021, a track he penned to his future daughter. He said: 'Wrote a song for my future daughter if I ever have one. Emily'.
Who would James like to collab with?
James revealed in an interview with Sam Thompson for his Hits UK show that he would like to collab with two huge artists. "I'd love Taylor Swift to be part of it (the song), or Miley Cyrus," he told Sam: "Those girls cross over into the country and pop world and I'm kind of going there on this new album."
James also explained how one of his songs from his album has a country feel to it, so they would be perfect to collab with.
What music does James like?
Although James describes most of his music as: "Sad and heart-wrenching," he told us that he actually loves house music and would be up for a night out in London, where he has lived for 10 years.
James Arthur's career: Take a look at how he went from winning The X Factor to a pop star
Career beginnings
James began writing and recording songs at the age of 15, performing as both a solo artist and in bands including Moonlight Drive, Cue the Drama, Save Arcade and Emerald Skye from 2005 to 2011.
In 2011, James wrote an album called 'Sins by the Sea' which was uploaded to social media sites, before forming The James Arthur Project and releasing EPs 'Hold On' and 'The EP Collection CD'.
2012: The X Factor
James auditioned for The X Factor in 2012, attending the auditions which took place throughout May and June that year. He sang a cover of 'Young' by Tulisa, who was on the judging panel that year, then 'A Million Love Songs' at Boot Camp - a song by fellow judge Gary Barlow's band Take That. He was in the final against Jahméne Douglas, winning the show.
2013: Debut self-titled album
James released his winners' single, a cover of 'Impossible' by Shontelle in December 2012, which hit the top spot in the UK charts. His self-titled debut album was released in November 2013 and went to Number 2 in the UK, featuring songs like 'You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You', 'Get Down' and 'Roses' featuring Emeli Sandé. In January 2014, he embarked on his first tour, the 'James Arthur Tour', performing 37 dates around Europe.
2014: Controversy and parting ways with Syco
James caused controversy after taking part in rap battles, causing Simon Cowell to say: "I think James, unfortunately, has had so many issues with what he has done publicly – which is a real issue with me... Somebody should have told him to shut up and just put the records out." In June 2014, he announced that he had parted ways with Syco by mutual agreement.
2015-2016: Signing with Columbia Records and second album
James signed a deal with Columbia Records in September 2015 and announced that a new album was on the way. His second album 'Back from the Edge' was released in October 2016, featuring songs 'Say You Won't Let Go' - which was a Number 1 single - and 'Can I Be Him'. James became the first X Factor performer to have two singles sell over a million copies in his home country.
2017: BRIT Awards nominations
In 2017, James' single, 'Say You Won't Let Go', was nominated at the BRITs for British Artist Video of the Year and British Single of the Year. He also released his single 'Naked', and attended The Grammy Museum at one of their Spotlight events after joining OneRepublic on their massive North American tour.
2018-2019: 'Rewrite the Stars' and third album 'You'
In 2018, James teamed up with Anne-Marie on their amazing cover of 'Rewrite The Stars', for The Greatest Showman: Reimagined. He also appeared on Brazilian soap opera O Tempo não Para, singing his song 'Empty Space'. James released his third album 'You' in October 2019, debuting at Number 2 in the UK, it was certified Silver.
2020: Fourth album
James revealed on Twitter in July 2020 that he was working on a fourth album, writing, 'I've been writing the new album for the last couple of months. I couldn't be more excited to share with you this new lane I'm playing around in, I think you'll be surprised in a good way. This is the album I've wanted to make for so long! #IWAMSITE.' He also worked on song 'Lasting Lover' with DJ Sigala.
2021: New singles and release of fourth album
James delighted his fans in 2021 when he dropped a number of new tracks, including 'Medicine', 'September' and 'Emily'.
The singer's fourth studio album 'It'll All Make Sense In The End' was released on Friday 5th November 2021.
2022: James releases the deluxe version of his album
On 11th March 2022, James released the deluxe version of his album 'All Make Sense In The End'. On the day of release he shared a heartfelt message to his fans saying: 'I love you all so much it hurts my heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️'.
In 2022, James also bagged the Award-Winning Song gong, for his track 'Lasting Lover' with Sigala, at the BMI London Awards.
2023: James announces collab with Alok
In January 2023, James announced he and Brazilian DJ Alok have a new song called 'Work With My Love', it was released on 13th January. The song samples 'Lola's Theme', by The Shapeshifters.
2023: James teases his fifth album
On top of that, James announced in January 2023 that not only did he have a fifth album on the way, but he was putting the finishing touches on it! Despite not letting any details slip on a release date, it certainly got fans excited for the year ahead.
2023: Big wins for James
In June 2023, James took to Instagram to celebrate some pretty huge wins! As well as bagging a Brits Billion Award from BPI, for over a billion streams in the UK, he also celebrated a diamond award, for going 10 x Platinum in America... Impressive!
Sharing a snap of him holding his shiny new awards, James wrote: 'What amazing year so far. I managed to pick up a diamond award for going 10 times platinum in America and a @brits billion award for over a billion streams in the UK alone. Thank you for all your continued support on this bizarre rollercoaster we're on.'
2023: New singles
On 12th May, James released a brand new single titled 'A Year Ago'. Fans were elated with new music from the singer.
On top of teasing his fifth album, James then announced another single on 24th July. The song, which was released date of 4th August, is called 'Blindside' and showcases a more upbeat vibe from the award-winning singer.
2023: James releases his fifth album
James took to Instagram in September 2023 to finally reveal the name and release date of his highly-anticipated fifth album. Titled 'Bitter Sweet Love', the album was released on 26th January 2024.
2023: James Arthur announces his 'Bitter Sweet Love' tour
James Arthur's 'Bitter Sweet Love' tour will see the artist perform eight UK dates as part of a wider world tour. He starts the UK leg of his tour in Bournemouth in March 2024.
2024: James Arthur releases collab with Kelly Clarkson
In April 2024, James announced he was re-releasing his album track 'From The Jump', with the one and only Kelly Clarkson. Fans loved how amazing the pair's vocals sounded together.
2025: James Arthur releases his sixth album
James Arthur revealed in December 2024 that his sixth album would be called 'Pisces', it was then released on 25th April 2025. It features his songs 'ADHD' and 'Celebrate'.
2025: James Arthur announces 'Pisces' tour
In March 2025, tickets to see James Arthur's 'Pisces' tour in 2026 went on sale. His tour will start in Nottingham on 3rd February, before he travels across the UK, ending his tour in Manchester on 21st February.
2025 - James Arthur announces Summer 2026 dates
James Arthur has announced two dates for Summer 2026. The singer will play in Scarborough and Halifax in July at outdoor venues. He told his fans they would be 'very special shows'.
Which are James Arthur’s most successful songs?
Since winning The X Factor, James has had many hugely successful songs. Straight from winning The X Factor, 'Impossible', which was a cover of Shontelle's song from 2010, went to Number 1 in the UK. Within the first 24 hours of release the song had 187,000 downloads.
His 2016 single, 'Say You Won't Let Go' was also an incredibly popular song also reaching the top spot in the UK and in a number of other countries. The song was written by himself along with Neil Ormandy and Steve Solomon, and was the lead single from his second studio album, 'Back from the Edge'.
James also released 'Falling Like The Stars' in May 2019, and he released an incredibly moving video for the track that same month - it reached 6 million views on YouTube in less than two weeks!
James teamed up with producer Sigala where he lent his vocals to the 2020 hit 'Lasting Lover'. In May 2023, Sigala took to Instagram to share the story behind the track, which was co-written by Lewis Capaldi and even had Liam Payne sing on it before it was released.
How tall is James Arthur?
According to many sources, James is 6ft 2in!
What is James Arthur’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth website, James Arthur's net worth is around $5 million (around £4 million), mostly due to his single and album sales and tours.
Is James Arthur on social media?
Yes, James Arthur is on social media. You can follow him on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
WATCH: James Arthur talks about working with Anne-Marie on 'Rewrite The Stars'
You can hear James Arthur's songs on Hits Radio.
Now read:
James Arthur shares heartfelt message after fans' reaction to his album's new deluxe edition
James Arthur's career timeline so far
Kelly Clarkson and James Arthur show off vocals in new duet 'From The Jump'