Speaking backstage at V Festival, James Arthur has revealed how he’s coped in recent months, following a number of much-publicised controversies.
The ‘X Factor’ winner hasn’t exactly had the easiest time in recent months, and had been accused of using a homophobic slur in one of his tracks before parting ways from Syco Records earlier this year.
However now, James seems determined to turn things around and has opened up about how he’s been focussing on being more positive.
First up - avoiding rows and concentrating on new music.
“I’m going to stay away from rap battles I think,” he states. “The next record will be very guitar-based… I’m going to be taking a lot more control.
“You’ll be hearing a raw side to me that you’ve never heard before.”
What topics will James tackle with his new music? Watch the video above to find out…
A number of other chart-topping stars also performed at V Festival over the weekend, check out all the pictures below…
V Festival 2014
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(01 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: James Arthur performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(02 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: James Arthur performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(03 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: James Arthur performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(04 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: James Arthur performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival 2014 Day One - Chelmsford(05 of57)
EDITORIAL USE ONLYSophie Ellis-Bextor performing on The Arena stage during day one of the V Festival, at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
V Festival 2014 Day One - Chelmsford(06 of57)
EDITORIAL USE ONLYSophie Ellis-Bextor performing on The Arena stage during day one of the V Festival, at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
V Festival 2014 Day One - Chelmsford(07 of57)
Janelle Monae performs live on stage on day 1 of V Festival 2014, Hylands Park - Chelmsford (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
V Festival 2014 - Day 1(08 of57)
CHELMSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 16: Janelle Monae performs on stage at the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
V Festival 2014 - Day 1(09 of57)
CHELMSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 16: Nicole Appleton, Natalie Appleton, Shaznay Lewis and Melanie Blatt of All Saints perform on stage at the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(10 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Guy Garvey of Elbow performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
V Festival 2014 - Day 1(11 of57)
CHELMSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 16: Nicole Appleton, Natalie Appleton, Shaznay Lewis and Melanie Blatt of All Saints perform on stage at the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(12 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Guy Garvey of Elbow performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(13 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Guy Garvey of Elbow performs on Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(14 of57)
Lead singer of British band Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, centre right, is held by the belt as he interacts with the crowd during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(15 of57)
Louisa Rose Allen of British band Foxes performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(16 of57)
Lead singer of British band Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(17 of57)
Lead singer of British band Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(18 of57)
Lead singer of British band Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, left, performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(19 of57)
British singer Pixie Lott performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(20 of57)
British singer Pixie Lott performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(21 of57)
British singer Elliot John Gleave performs as Example, on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(22 of57)
British singer Elliot John Gleave performs as Example, on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(23 of57)
British singer Elliot John Gleave performs as Example, on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(24 of57)
Blondie performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(25 of57)
Ed Sheeran performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 1(26 of57)
Blondie performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(27 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(28 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(29 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(30 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(31 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(32 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(33 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(34 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(35 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Justin Timberlake performs on the Virgin Media Stage during Day 1 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake Performs At The Staples Center(36 of57)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Justin Timberlake performs onstage during The 20/20 Experience World Tour at Staples Center on August 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for JT) (credit:Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake Performs At The Staples Center(37 of57)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Justin Timberlake performs onstage during The 20/20 Experience World Tour at Staples Center on August 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for JT) (credit:Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
Sony's Xperia Access Stage In The Louder Lounge At The Virgin Media V Festival - Day 2(38 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Asami Zdrenka, Shereen Cutkelvin, Amira McCarthy, Jessica and Kate Plummer of Neon Jungle performing on Sony's Xperia Access acoustic stage in the Virgin Media Louder Lounge. Unseen footage of Neon Jungles performance can be viewed at www.vevo.com/xperiaaccess at Hylands Park on August 17, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images for Sony Music) (credit:Ben A. Pruchnie via Getty Images)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(39 of57)
British singer Katy B performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(40 of57)
British singer Katy B performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
V Festival 2014 Day Two - Chelmsford(41 of57)
Jason Derulo performs live on stage on day 2 of V Festival 2014, Hylands Park - Chelmsford (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
V Festival 2014 Day Two - Chelmsford(42 of57)
Paulo Nutini performs live on stage on day 2 of V Festival 2014, Hylands Park - Chelmsford (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
V Festival 2014 Day Two - Chelmsford(43 of57)
Jason Derulo performs live on stage on day 2 of V Festival 2014, Hylands Park - Chelmsford (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 2(44 of57)
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Newton Faulkner performs on the Virgin Media stage during Day 2 of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 17, 2014 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
BESTPIX - V Festival 2014 - Day 2(45 of57)
CHELMSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 17: Katy B performs on stage at the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 17, 2014 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(46 of57)
Anne Marie Nicholson of Rudimental performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(47 of57)
British singer Lily Allen performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(48 of57)
British singer Rita Ora performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(49 of57)
British rapper Tinie Tempah jumps as he performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(50 of57)
British singer Lily Allen performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(51 of57)
British rapper Tinie Tempah performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(52 of57)
British singer Lily Allen performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(53 of57)
British singer Rita Ora performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, England, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
Britain V Festival 2014 Day 2(54 of57)
DJ Locksmith of Rudimental, right, performs on stage during V Festival 2014 at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/Invision/AP)
V Festival 2014 Day 2(55 of57)
CHELMSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 17: Shereen Cutkelvin, Asami Zdrenka, Jess Plummer and Amira McCarthy of Neon Jungle perform on stage at the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 17, 2014 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
V Festival 2014 Day 2(56 of57)
(credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire/Press Association Images)
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(credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire/Press Association Images)