James Arthur opens up on 'near death' experience on X-Factor

James Arthur, 35, who hails from Middlesbrough, went on to win the ninth series of the show, but he has highlighted a terrifying experience he experienced during filming. 

It was during week two of the live shows on X-Factor, in which James sang Mary J. Blige’s No More Drama and was congratulated for his performance, that things took an awful turn.

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The singer revealed in a heartfelt interview with Jamie Laing on his Private Parts podcast that he believed he was going to die while on stage.

During the incident, he felt so unwell that ambulances were called.

Speaking on the podcast, he said: "Part way through the X Factor, I had this huge panic attack and the doctors put me on a bunch of medication to get me through the show.

James Arthur (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

"So I was a little bit numb from that as well,’ continued James, before Jamie asked: ‘Was that your first panic attack?’

"It was my first major panic attack where ambulances were called, and I thought, “I’m dying” and all that kind of s**t,’ the singer confirmed.

"The contrast from bedsit to national TV – it was at the peak of its powers when I was on that show, he explained, trying to capture the significance of the moment.

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James continued: "It was week two of the live shows. It’s funny because it felt like it was bubbling, it felt like this anxiety was operating at a subterranean level. It was like a pencil that was…’

"About to snap?" prompted the Made In Chelsea star.

"Yeah. That day I just felt ill. I just felt really sick. I was battling in my head while performing, “Don’t fall, don’t die. Don’t have a heart attack right now.

"Then I got off stage and I was like, “I’m going to die.”