James Arthur’s fans turned out in force to support the ‘X Factor’ winner’s set at V Festival on Saturday afternoon, where he apologised for being a “bit of a d**k” in the past.
The controversial singer has been involved in a number of scandals since winning the TV talent contest in 2012, and took the opportunity during his first ever performance at V Festival to clear the air.
James Arthur
Referencing the various incidents that have landed him in hot water throughout his relatively short career, James told the crowds: “As you may know, I’ve been a bit of a d**k in the past, and I’ve made some mistakes. This song has got me through hard times, it’s called ‘Recovery’.”
Rocking out on stage in a backwards baseball cap and some dark sunglasses - going on to tell the audience to excuse his “sh*t hair” - he later mashed up one of his singles with Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me A River’, ahead of JT's headline slot on the main stage.
James Arthur Performs At V Festival 2014
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(01 of13)
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 of13)
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 of13)
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 of13)
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(05 of13)
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(06 of13)
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(07 of13)
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(08 of13)
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(09 of13)
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(10 of13)
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(11 of13)
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(12 of13)
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(13 of13)
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)
James closed his performance with his number one ‘X Factor’ winner’s single ‘Impossible’, telling the crowds it was “the song that got me here”, by which time it appeared a number of James Arthur sceptics in the crowd appeared to have been won over - us included, believe it or not.
Acts still to take to the V Festival stage on Sunday, 17 August include Lily Allen, Rita Ora and The Killers.
Check out all the pictures from day one at Hylands Park below…
V Festival 2014: Day One
V Festival - Hylands Park - Day 1(01 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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 of37)
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)