X Factor winner James Arthur ‘splits from long-term girlfriend Jessica Grist after growing apart’

James Arthur has broken up with his long-term girlfriend Jessica Grist, who he first started dating on The X Factor back in 2012, according to reports.

The 33-year-old met Jessica on the singing competition – which he ended up winning – when she was working as a backing dancer.

The duo split up once before in 2015 before reconnecting two years later in 2017.

After nine years of on-again, off-again dating, a source told The Sun that James and Jessica have ‘grown apart’ and believe their love has ‘run its course’.

The source revealed: ‘James and Jessica have a lot of history, so they will always have a special place in each other’s hearts but the truth is they have just grown apart and decided it wasn’t working any more.

‘There was no big drama and they are still friends, but it is nevertheless a blow for both of them because they have been together for such a long time.

‘It just feels like the relationship has run its course now and James is focusing on his music, because he has a big year ahead of him, he recently signed a new record deal and has a new album and tour just around the corner, so he is throwing himself into his work.’ 

This news comes after James previously revealed that Jessica inspired much of his upcoming album.

Speaking with The Sun he said: ‘She knows she’s the muse in a lot of these songs. She’s so supportive and she’s probably sick of hearing my music, to be fair, because all she’s heard all year is me blasting songs out.’ 

It’s been a trying year for James, who announced in March that he owed £300,000 in football betting debt.

The 33-year-old singer ‘didn’t realise’ he had got himself into financial trouble after betting on football matches.

James said that although he ‘didn’t have a gambling problem’, it was a ‘blessing’ when he was eventually banned from using mobile betting apps.

‘I was like £200… £300,000 in debt,’ he shared.

‘I didn’t even realise I’d got myself in debt. It was my ­accountant saying, “You’re kinda in the red here”.’

James added to the Mirror that he was once winning so much money on one app that he was banned from using it altogether.

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for James Arthur for comment.

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