MATTBURIES THEHATCHET

FORMER X Factor winners Matt Cardle and James Arthur spent years throwing insults at each other on Twitter.

But 2010 winner Matt now has nothing but praise for one-time arch enemy and 2012 champ James.

Matt is gearing up to release his fourth studio album later this year.

And he told me James’s unlikely comeback, with a huge No.1 single and album, has helped him regain his faith in the music industry.

Matt told me: “I am honestly really happy for James.

“We’ve obviously had our arguments in the past but we’ve met since and talked it through. There’s no bad blood between us at all.

“James is ridiculously talented, his voice is insane and it shows if you come back with an amazing song then you can have great success again. I’m just pleased it is possible to do.”

Matt is making a comeback this year after beating his addiction to prescription drugs.

Talking of his new record, expected this summer, he added: “The album is way more electro. It was hard to write because I kept trying but had to come through the sobriety to write it with a clear mindset.

“I’d put this album on at a party with friends whereas the previous records I would probably just put on in the car.”

Matt previews new music at Manchester’s The Lowry on January 27 and London’s Hippodrome on February 17.

See mattcardlemusic.com for tickets.