(01 of20)
Open Image ModalPre-'X Factor': Ahead of his star turn on the ITV show, James experiences success in a number of different bands and also narrowly missed out on a place in the 2011 series of 'The Voice UK'. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
(02 of20)
Open Image ModalDecember 2012: James hasn't even won 'X Factor' yet and he's already involved in one of his first celebrity spats, this time with comedian Frankie Boyle. The online fight culminated in James telling Frankie: "Your as funny as aids." [sic] (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
(03 of20)
Open Image ModalDecember 2012: James is crowned 'X Factor' champion! (credit:Rex)
(04 of20)
Open Image ModalDecember 2012: James' 'X Factor' winner's single 'Impossible' becomes the fastest-selling track of the year. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Archive)
(05 of20)
Open Image ModalNovember 2013: James experiences one of his most difficult periods ever after using a homophobic slur in a rap. Despite his apology, a number of people were angered by James, including his former 'X Factor' pal Lucy Spraggan, One fan even succeeded in securing a refund from iTunes after purchasing James's debut album when they complained about his language choices. (credit:Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)
(06 of20)
Open Image ModalDecember 2013: Rylan Clark jumps to James's defence after the homophobia scandal, stating: "I shared a bed with the boy for ten weeks! I love him to bits. "He's had a really, really tough few months without going into detail and he made a stupid mistake - he's a stupid boy. But that's what he did, he made a stupid mistake." (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive)
(07 of20)
Open Image ModalDecember 2013: James wins the Best International Breakthrough Award at the NRJs in France. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
(08 of20)
Open Image ModalFebruary 2014: Frustrated with numerous negative reports, James hits out via Twitter, stating: "If I was anyone else, I'd have killed myself by now." (credit:Eamonn and James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke)
(09 of20)
Open Image ModalMarch 2014: Rylan Clark defends his "X Factor husband" again, explaining that the star is actually incredibly insecure. (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(10 of20)
Open Image ModalMarch 2014: James Arthur criticises the 'X Factor'-based 'I Can't Sing' Musical, taking offence at the fact one of the show's characters appears to be based on a version of himself. (credit:Invision)
(11 of20)
Open Image ModalApril 2014: James is forced to deny that he's been fired by his label after making a reference to terrorism on a mixtape."Look at what you do to me, I’m crying over stupid s***, you’re such a f***ing homophobe, wish I’d never let you in, to think that I was thinking maybe I should let you live, I’m gonna blow up your family like I’m a terrorist," he rapped. (credit:Sean Dempsey/PA Archive)
(12 of20)
Open Image ModalApril 2014: James and Simon Cowell are involved in another public spat, where the 'X Factor' judge admits he needs to sit down and have "crisis talks" with the singer. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
(13 of20)
Open Image ModalMay 2014: Things appear to be getting better for the singer, who states his new girlfriend is helping him to turn things around. (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
(14 of20)
Open Image ModalMay 2014: James releases a new mixtape, with artwork designed by one of his fans. (credit:Instagram/James Arthur)
(15 of20)
Open Image ModalJune 2014: After months of speculation, James confirms that he has parted ways from Simon Cowell's record label Syco, (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(16 of20)
Open Image ModalJune 2014: James' forner competitor Ella Henderson jumps to the singer's defence, stating: "Everyone has the right to express themselves." (credit:RW/MediaPunch/IPx)
(17 of20)
Open Image ModalJuly 2014: James worries fans by posting a "Polish bar brawl" snap on Instagram. The incident was later dimissed by the singer, who told worried Twitter users that it was simply a case of "boys will be boys". (credit:Instagram/James Arthur)
(18 of20)
Open Image ModalAugust 2014: James is dealt another blow as rapper Professor Green drops the singer from his latest album, stating: "He just kind of imploded, didn't he? "It's a shame, when I met him he was a cool guy but he just upset so many people." (credit:Getty Images)
(19 of20)
Open Image ModalAugust 2014: During his V Festival 2014 performance, James apologised for his recent controversies, telling fans: "As you may know, I’ve been a bit of a d**k in the past, and I’ve made some mistakes." (credit:Gus Stewart via Getty Images)
(20 of20)
Open Image ModalLate 2014: What's next for James? After a triumphant performance at V, the singer is continuing work on his second album. Watch this space... (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)