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X Factor winner James Arthur has apologised for his recent homophobia row, thanking fans for sticking by him, and claiming he 'abused his position as an X Factor winner'.
Returning to the show, which he won in 2012, to perform new single 'Recovery', Arthur used the opportunity to make his first public statement regarding the homophobia row in which he was been caught up in during the past few weeks.
"It's been an amazing year for me, incredible highs paired with incredible lows. I've made some very silly mistakes but I just want to thank everyone who stuck by me through this difficult time," he said, while wearing a red ribbon to mark World Aids Day. "Above all, I just want to say sorry for abusing my position as an X Factor winner because I owe this show everything."
Arthur returned to the show to promote his new single, on the same day that quotes emerged from his sister, claiming that fame had 'broken' him in the year since his talent show triumph.
His sister Sian recently spoke to The Sunday Mirror newspaper about what is going on with her brother, in which she stated: "We've been so worried about him this week, he's been diagnosed with depression and anxiety attacks. He put it really simply to me. He just said, 'Fame has mentally broken me'."
She also urged for people to accept James Arthur's apology and to move on from the homophobic abuse, saying: "It was the wrong word to use, no excuses - but he apologised immediately and the hate campaign against him has gone too far now. He made a mistake and he's so sorry about it that he's making himself ill with worry."
Below: the 9 most unpleasant moments of James Arthur's career so far
