James Arthur X Factor audition brought parents together

24-year-old James Arthur’s X Factor audition was quite a family occasion when both parents came together to lend their support as the young hopeful via for a spot in the next round.

James reveals: “My mum and dad split up when I was very young, the difficult thing for me was the fact that my mum and my dad didn’t have any sort of relationship for my entire life, I went off the rails especially at school, I used to get suspended, thrown out, I ended up like sleeping rough sometimes, so I volunteered myself into foster care, I didn’t want to be involved in any of the arguing anymore, I just wanted to get away, so initially music was a coping mechanism.”

“Today is the first time my mum and dad have been together in 22 years,” James reveals. “I hope I can set myself free from any worry and do the best that I can do.”

On stage James performed his own track mashed up with Tulisa’s single Young.

The N-Dubz star was impressed, telling him: “James when you’re up there I just see you get lost in that world, it’s just you, the microphone, the guitar, best audition of the day.”

Gary Barlow adds: “We sit here all day and we watch lots and lots of people stand on this stage and 99% of those people, I sit there and go okay we need to change this, we need to do that, they need to try this… if anyone dares touch what you do, because it’s so good, you should be very proud today that was a fantastic audition, well done.”