James Arthur ‘in the best head space’ after opening up about demons on new song Medicine

James Arthur is finally in the ‘best head space’ after dropping a tune about overcoming suicidal thoughts.

The Say You Won’t Let Go star told Guilty Pleasures he found it easy to be honest about his demons on his latest track Medicine, out today.

‘I’ve gone through really dark places in my life,’ James said. ‘If I am being true to myself, it’s always got to be a little bit autobiographical.

‘I just threw that in there because a lot of people can relate. Like they want to give up — I’ll always be honest with my songwriting.’

Detailing a particularly low patch last year, he revealed: ‘Just before I did the arena tour I had a choice — to go off to Texas to a rehabilitation centre that deals with trauma or turn my home into a rehab and have intensive therapy at home.’

He added that he has also checked into hospital ‘once or twice to just make sure I am doing all right’. Now, after landing a new record deal with Columbia, the former X Factor winner declared: ‘I’m in the best head space I have ever been.’

He certainly has a spring in his step these days, explaining: ‘On the bad days, I have to get on the treadmill or go for a hike. I make time for those things.

‘I ran 30 miles at the weekend. I’d love to do the London Marathon, especially if there was a charity element.’

The 33-year-old Middlesbrough lad doesn’t mind sounding like a broken record when he talks about his struggles. ‘It’s been well-documented I have hit these walls in my life,’ James said. ‘It might feel boring to people that I still have anxiety and depression.’

He said 2020 was one of the harder times he’d ever had, adding: ‘Physically my health was declining.

‘Lockdown gave me a lot of chance to process things. I learned my trigger points and that I was setting myself up to fail.’

More Guilty Pleasures…

Buff and bed-y… Joel’s the perfect guy

Raye throws Joel Corry some come-to-Bed eyes as he flashes his pecs.

This is a first look at the pop pair’s steamy scenes in the video for their collab Bed, with David Guetta.

Head & Heart DJ Joel, who plays a made-to-order ‘perfect partner’, has already insisted to GP that Bed will spark a lockdown baby boom with lyrics such as ‘I got a bed, but I’d rather be in yours’.

In real life, both Joel, 31, and 23-year-old Raye are sexy, single, ready to mingle. Fitness fiend Joel told us he was married to his gym — and DJ deck.

On the other hand, Raye is recovering from her worst-ever heartbreak after her ex-boyfriend moved on to her friend last year.

The collaboration queen has shared how she lures all her famous work pals — including Mabel and Cardi B — into the studio. ‘I’m a very out-there person,’ said Raye. ‘Even if I look like a lemon and they say no. I just say “take my number”.’

Mariah’s brother joins sister in suing for ‘emotional distress’

Mariah Carey is being sued by another sibling over her bombshell memoir The Meaning Of Mariah Carey.

A lawsuit submitted by her brother Morgan follows a similar one from her sister Alison, 58, who is seeking $1.2million (£875,000) for emotional distress after Mimi accused her of pimping her out when she was younger.

Morgan launched his action after Mariah, 51, detailed his fights with their dad and claimed she ‘never felt safe’ around her brother’s ‘unpredictable’ rage.

The 60-year-old’s lawyers state he is bringing the action ‘more in sorrow and disappointment in his sister’s betrayals and malicious falsehoods than in anger at them’. He is suing his younger sister for defamation and emotional distress after he ‘suffered extreme mental anguish’.

Let’s not do shots! Anti-vaxxer Brown backs out of festival

Anti-vaxxer Ian Brown has pulled out of his headline slot at the Neighbourhood Weekender after organisers insisted all attendees must have had their Covid jab.

The former Stone Roses frontman announced he will no longer appear at the festival in his home town of Warrington because he opposes the idea of people only being allowed into events if they have had the coronavirus vaccine.

The three-day music extravaganza is due to take place from September 3.

Brown, 58, tweeted: ‘My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen! I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry. Refunds are available!’

The festival’s organisers said he will be replaced by rock band James.

‘No subject’ off limits for Janet Jackson doc

Janet Jackson is to have her say in a new documentary — with ‘no subject off-limits’.

The Together Again singer’s two-part programme follows Justin Timberlake’s recent apology after she copped all the heat over ‘nipplegate’ at the 2004 Super Bowl.

The show, Janet, is a four-hour celebration of the 40th anniversary of her self-titled debut album, which the pop queen released as a 16-year-old in 1982.

US network A&E describes the doc as ‘an intimate, honest and unfiltered look at her untold story’, adding it will be aired early next year.

It also says Janet, 54, will explore the death of her brother Michael in 2009 and discuss becoming a mother later in life.

Girls Aloud put aside rift to support Sarah’s cancer battle

Girls Aloud have put their squabbles aside to support Sarah Harding in her battle with cancer.

Nadine Coyle, 35, said: ‘I speak to Sarah a lot. There’s a nice harmony going on now with the girls.’

The 35-year-old Call The Shots singer told OK! that Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh had really rallied around Sarah, 39. She added: ‘When we see each other, it’s like we’ve stepped back in time, as if we’ve only seen each other yesterday. It’s such a tough time but all of us have pulled together.’

Fashion is Chi and cheerful

Mel B’s daughter Phoenix Chi has been hired by Asda to spice up its George budget clothing range. Phoenix, 20, said: ‘My favourite from the collection has to be the boots! They are so versatile.’

Kings’ album to set a record

Kings of Leon are the first band in the world to release an album as a non-fungible token. From today, fans can buy When You See Yourself on blockchain, then be able to unlock a limited-edition vinyl, plus front-row seats to their concerts.

Daisy so happy to lend a Han

Daisy Ridley has trained as a doula to help mums-to-be. The GBBO Celebrity star said she signed up while in LA to promote Star Wars. ‘There was this spare space… it was six weeks of Zooming with a wonderful group of women,’ said Daisy, 28.

Olly gets jolly for comeback

Olly Alexander has been spilling on the comeback album from Years & Years. ‘I want it to feel like a fun celebration, a lost fantasy, upbeat,’ Olly, 30, told MNEK’s Apple Proud radio show. ‘Because I haven’t been experiencing any of it.’

Bridgerton of spies… it’s René

Rege-Jean Page’s Hollywood star is rising — the Bridgerton hunk is to star in Netflix spy thriller The Gray Man, alongside Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling. The 31-year-old’s role has not been revealed.

Could we be any more excited?

The long wait is nearly over… David Schwimmer has confirmed the Friends reunion starts filming next month after being delayed by the pandemic. David, 54, said: ‘Oh, it’s happening…’

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