James Arthur has reportedly separated from his girlfriend, Jessica Grist, marking the third time the couple has ended their relationship. Arthur, 36, and Grist, 34, initially met in 2012 on *The X Factor*, where their romance began. They first dated until 2015, reunited in 2017, and rekindled their relationship once more in 2022. Together, they share a 19-month-old daughter, Emily, and sources suggest the couple tried to make their relationship work for her sake.
A source told *The Mirror* that James and Jessica share a deep history and genuine affection, but challenges in their relationship have led them to separate once again. Despite the breakup, they remain dedicated to co-parenting and have committed to being the best parents they can be for Emily. The separation was described as amicable, with both agreeing it was necessary. Although they had rekindled their relationship in the past after feeling it had reached a dead end, this time feels different. Both James and Jessica are fully focused on prioritizing their daughter above all else.
James has often spoken highly of Jessica’s role in his life. In 2014, he credited her with helping him stay grounded amidst the intense fame he experienced after winning *The X Factor*. He has previously said that Jessica taught him to “live in the moment” and has always been special to him. After one of their reunions, he acknowledged her influence on his music, particularly his 2021 album, *It’ll All Make Sense in the End*, which includes songs like “Medicine,” “September,” “Avalanche,” “SOS,” and “Emily,” a tribute to their daughter. In an interview with *The Sun*, he admitted that Jessica was his muse for many of the songs, and though she was supportive, he joked that she might be tired of hearing them, given how often he played them.
When they previously split in 2021, a source explained that, while there was no drama, they had simply grown apart. Even though they maintained a strong connection, they agreed it was best to focus on their individual paths, especially with James dedicating himself to his music career. Since winning *The X Factor*, James has seen major success. His winning single, “Impossible,” remains the best-selling single from the show with 2.5 million sales. He has achieved two number-one singles and seen two of his five albums reach the top of the charts, further cementing his place in the music industry.
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