James Arthur defends Justin Bieber

29 October 2016

James Arthur has defended Justin Bieber after he stormed off stage in Manchester, England.

James Arthur

The 'Sorry' hitmaker dropped his microphone and walked off stage during his performance on Sunday (23.10.16), as fans booed him for talking between songs and not playing his hits.

Now, the 'Say You Won't Let Go' singer - who rose to fame after being crowned the winner of UK talent competition 'The X Factor' in 2012 - sympathises with the 22-year-old, as he says the "unfathomable" level of fame can affect people.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the 28-year-old singer said: "I think Justin Bieber is a really unique case.

"I feel really sorry for him because I was 25 when I found fame and I got seriously lost from just being famous in England. He has been famous since he was a kid. That level of fame is unfathomable.

"Maybe he's past the screaming girl phase and he wants people to listen to what he has to say and not just be propped up on stage to sing songs and perform like a monkey. Maybe he's just over how famous he is."

The news comes after a string of controversial outbursts from the 'Love Yourself' singer, who previously told fans to stay "as quiet as possible" whilst he was singing.

He said: "Try and stay as quiet as possible. You can scream as much as you want afterwards, but while I'm singing try and stay quiet."

Justin also blasted fans for screaming at his shows, as he finds it "obnoxious".

He was recorded telling fans: "Just try to show me you love me, in a different way. I get it. The screaming is just so obnoxious. I get it, it's been in our blood and it's been grand, you go to a concert and scream and stuff. But if we could just ... scream after the song, enjoy the songs ... the screaming is awesome, it's fine, and then we take a chill pill for a second and we just listen to me speak. Because ... I don't feel like I'm being heard sometimes and it's getting a little pressuring. So, if when I'm speaking you guys could not scream at the top of your lungs. Is that cool with you guys?"