James Arthur comes home for Comic Relief to support STAMP Revisited.

Ahead of Red Nose Day Saltburn's X Factor winner James Arthur has been back on home ground to lend support to the Comic Relief cause.

After visiting CRISIS earlier in the week in support of homeless single people and helping them run a songwriting workshop James was back on Teesside.
Yesterday he visited a mental health charity in Middlesbrough, which is partly funded by Comic Relief, and he also called in on his old school in Redcar.



James was diagnosed with depression before he was persuaded by friends and family to audition for The X Factor, and he revealed that he still suffers similar symptoms.

As reported in the Sun, James said: "Sometimes I can't sleep, I've got so many creative ideas going round my head. I get the guitar out and start singing at the top of my voice until I feel any anxiety draining away."

"Music is my coping mechanism. Singing something passionately releases that energy."

Speaking about meeting people with similar issues, he said: "In my life I've had some low points, so now it's really important to give something back because I'm really passionate about changing people's perceptions about mental health.

"This project is doing amazing work and the men and women it supports are inspirational."

The group specialises in providing an advocacy service for people affected by mental health issues across Teesside, County Durham & Darlington.

The vice-chairman of STAMP Revisited, Ralph Hagan, said: "You can have all the money in the world but it's not important if you're suffering. James will be a big role model in making more people aware of mental health issues."

James also returned to visit his old school.

He told his Twitter followers that he was "Really looking forward to going back to my old school to see what they are doing for @rednoseday. Lets hope they don’t kick me out this time”

It turns out that he had little to worry about, posting: “Had a great time visiting my old school today and seeing some old faces. Thanks for everyone who was there!”

James finished his stint on The X Factor live tour two weeks ago and for the last week he has been working on his debut album. He revealed he's been hard at work in the studio with Graham Stack who has previously worked with Kylie, Girls Aloud and JLS.