James Arthur: My fans kept me going, they kept me motivated
James Arthur's return to the top is one of 2016 most spectacular stories from the pop world. His single, Say You Won't Go, has won back any fans he lost in 2013 when he used a homophobic term in a rap track and given him a No.1 single.
His fans, known as the J Army, are one of the most supportive fanbases online and their support (and strange gifts) hasn't gone unnoticed.
When James visited the Radio 1 Live Lounge for a performance of his chart topping single, he shared some intimate J Army secrets - although it may not be called that for long...
What has been your most inspirational fan moment?
"I've had so many. It's always amazing when a fan will say you've helped them through some kind of adversity.
"I have a fan who suffered with leukemia and apparently the only thing that helped him through that was my music so of course that's the ultimate sense of achievement. It's an incredible feeling."
What's the strangest gift you've ever been given by a fan?
"One of my fans made a lifelike doll of me. It was incredible, it looked just like me, but an effigy is kinda weird."
Do you recognise the fans who have followed you since the early days of your career?
"I recognise them. There's a group of fans that come everywhere - in Portugal, Poland - they spend so much of their money to come and see my gigs. I do recognise the core fanbase.
"Once upon a time we came up with J Army or Jarmy but I think we should try and update the name. Lets try and change the name. Lets try and mature it."
During your time away from the spotlight, did their support help you keep believing in yourself?
"100%. They kept me going, they kept me motivated."
Were some of your fans disappointed when you released a track that offended a lot of people?
"It was understandable. People were a little bit disappointed in my behaviour and how I'd represented myself. They believed in me and hoped I'd reach the heights and optimise my potential.
"Maybe they felt I didn't and they were well within their rights to make their feelings known that they were disappointed."
You've apologised and spoken openly about your regrets over the situation. How have fans responded to that?
"My fans have followed me from before X Factor and I was always doing honest and open music. I always made my songs very conversational and if anyone ever has a conversation with me, they know I'm a very open guy, very open and honest.
"I don't really know how to be any other way. They would probably say this is how they know him, this is who he is. I think maybe there's a section of people who think maybe I'm someone that the media mistranslated."
Say You Won't Let Go has hit No.1 in Australia and New Zealand. How does it feel to be winning fans on the other side of the world now?
"I find it fascinating that an image of me has been projected to the other side of the world and there I am in people's homes and at No.1. It's quite mind boggling really.
"I went over on my first run, when I was promoting Impossible and my first album, but it was only for a couple of days. I saw three radio stations. I didn't see any of the cities.
"We're going over there in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody."
What can fans expect next?
"The album is out Friday, I want to tour that early next year everywhere. I want to keep creating, i'm really interested in moving into acting. I'd like to maybe do my first acting job next year, just some little cameo in something.
"I want to branch out with my creativity a little bit. Definitely more music, as much as I can get out there. I've got loads of material backed up.
"More music, more shows, more me."
James Arthur's second album, Back From The Edge, is released on 28 October 2016.
