James Arthur
I didn't realise how devastating my behavior could be - looking back, I'm very embarrassed. I just buckled under the anxiety.
I had a bit of a strange childhood, to be honest.
Me and my mum didn't see eye-to-eye for a lot of years, and I've never really felt connected with my dad, because he wasn't there.
When I've got a girlfriend, I like to be with them as much as possible, and I'm very affectionate.
I'm very much a 'boyfriend' type of guy. I've been in relationships since I was 16.
I had some glamour models messaging me on Twitter and saying they think I'm hot, but I'm being careful.
I was asked, 'Why do you think the male 'X Factor' winners haven't been successful in the past?' And I said, 'Because obviously the body of work that they've brought out wasn't good enough,' and that was it.
I don't do media training. I don't do that.
I've done a few face palms after things I've said because it's stupid. But if I'm not like that, I won't feel human anymore. I'll just feel like some robot saying what I'm supposed to say. I think that's when people lose it.
I don't think about consequences too much.
My Number 1 Award is going to go on my mantelpiece, and I'll probably kiss it for two weeks solid every time I pass it!
I'm trying this thing where I don't regret as much 'cause it doesn't really work that well to regret things.
I've made mistakes, and I'm very aware of them, and I've tried to better myself from those mistakes.
I've always maintained a good relationship with Simon Cowell, and obviously I have a great respect for him, and his show provided me with a platform to reach a lot of people, so I have the upmost respect for Simon Cowell.
I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion in the media.
I was on the dole.
I've always thought I'm pretty ugly.
People had told me to try 'The X Factor' for years, but I thought I'd be moody and hate it all. But it's what I needed. I asked Mum and Dad to come to my 'X Factor' audition, and it was the first time that they'd been in the same room in years.
'The X Factor' saved me.
My first instinct is always to fight back because ever since I was a kid, that's what I've always had to do to survive.
I grew up in a house full of women - I have four sisters. I'm more feminine than some gay men.
People were telling me it was refreshing I was real because previous 'X Factor' winners were too afraid to say anything. I decided to go against the grain. But I took it too far.
For me, I've always been the guy who self-sabotages.
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.
It's always amazing when a fan will say you've helped them through some kind of adversity.
One of my fans made a lifelike doll of me. It was incredible - it looked just like me - but an effigy is kinda weird.
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 had nothing and lived in the most insignificant place.
If you haven't got help, all you can do is make good music.
I got offered loads of reality shows, including 'I'm A Celebrity' and 'Celebrity Big Brother.'
I don't know if speaking to a therapist is right for everyone.
My approach is to be open and honest.
I don't think I made it clear where I was mentally when I appeared on 'X Factor.' There was so much pressure and a lot of judging. But I wanted to take a chance on the show because I wanted to make something of myself. 'X Factor' seemed like the only way out.
I think Justin Bieber and Zayn have both been listening to me a lot, and they basically wanna be me.
I'm not saying none of these guys are talented, but people think Ed Sheeran crawled off a couch and lived on the street or something, but him, Ellie Goulding... they all come from Suffolk, Surrey, Richmond... they come from support.
I think Sam Smith's dad got a huge loan or something to help his career. Those things can help artists get attention, but I guess my song 'Say You Won't Let Go' proved it's about the song.
My music is about love, and I don't discriminate against any type of person.
There had to be a point where I had to stop feeling sorry for myself.
I've always looked over my shoulder, especially in my hometown.
I went from absolutely nothing to a lot of people judging me overnight, and it was really tough for me.
I want to help people to get to know my story and really tell them in detail what I've been through.
Not only was I an 'X Factor' winner that got dropped by Syco - and when that happens, you're never heard of again - but everyone thought I was a clown.
Yes I got into things with girls who only liked me because of who I was. But I learnt my lesson quickly.
I'm a Honey G fan. She can spit some vibes on one of my songs; she's got rhymes for days! She's gangster. I love her.
I really want to do acting, and I don't want to be typecast because of my tattoos.
Everyone wrote me off, including me.
I'm always going to have to manage my mental health issues.
I'd like to think that maybe the average person is rational, and they realise that I'm not this crazy monster that, at times, I've been perceived to be.
I'm not a shiny pop star.