James Arthur: 'Depression Has Been The Biggest Fight of My Life'

Plus hear John Newman's thoughts on James' X Factor fame

Published 18th Aug 2014

James Arthur says that his secret battle with depression and anxiety has been the biggest fight of his life.

Speaking to Entertainment NOW! backstage at V Festival over the weekend, the X Factor winner said it was only when he spoke to other people that he was able to tackle the illness.

“I didn’t know the magnitude of that disease until it really set in for me,” James said.

“People who have it don’t really know how to talk about it or maybe feel afraid to talk about it and as soon as I did I changed completely.

“I decided to open up to a couple of people and I’m now very happy with the person I am.”

James’ revelations came after John Newman told us that an immediate “explosion” of success after winning talent shows like The X Factor doesn’t do careers any good:

Listen to James response here:

James Arthur’s turbulent past year has included an infamous Twitter spat, a Polish bar brawl and ultimately being dumped from Simon Cowell’s record label Syco.

You can see photos from James’ V Festival performance plus pics of The Killers, Rita Ora, Ella Eyre, Rudimental and Lily Allen in live action by clicking the link below.

PHOTO GALLERY: V FESTIVAL 2014