X FACTOR winner James Arthur has apologised after being accused by celebrities and fans of making homophobic comments.

The 25-year-old from Saltburn, east Cleveland, called unknown rapper Micky Worthless 'a f***king queer' in a rap which spread online after he recorded a song mocking Mr Arthur for being an X Factor “puppet”.

The 2012 winner of the ITV music talent show has since apologised, but said that his words were misinterpreted, and in rap ‘feuds’ had a different meaning.

His Twitter account was bombarded with criticism from celebrities and fans after he posting the controversial song lyrics.

In his apology on the micro-blogging site he wrote: “I just have to say I'm extremely disappointed in myself for being so naive with the “diss track” I made for a rapper recently.

"Some of the things said in this rap can be mistaken for homophobic slurs and I assure you homophobia is something I do not believe in. I have many, many gay friends. In rap feuds or rap ‘disses’ the words I used have a different intent. This is a straight man I was attacking."

Little Britain star, Matt Lucas, was one several celebrities along with comedian Frankie Boyle and Former X Factor contestant, Lucy Spraggan, who turned to Twitter, to voice their objection to the lyrics.