Gary Barlow has admitted that he didn’t expect James Arthur to win The X Factor last year. The judges of the ITV show are on the campaign trail this week in preparation for the talent show’s tenth season premiere, which will air this weekend.
Arthur won last year’s series after a face-off with Jahmene Douglas and Barlow’s own act Christopher Maloney.
He pondered:
“I was quite shocked that James Arthur won last time, not because he wasn’t the best but because he is the best and was the best.
“I assumed a TV voting audience wouldn’t vote for someone like that and they did, it really shows me that the right person will win this competition each time.”
James Arthur won The X Factor (screengrab)
He added:
“I don’t believe a novelty act will ever win this competition because when it comes down to it, I do actually believe in the people that are voting to choose the right person.”
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