James Arthur accuses Glastonbury of ‘snobbery’ over his X Factor fame as he fails to make line-up

James Arthur has accused Glastonbury Festival bosses of “snobbery” after he failed to make this year’s line-up.

The singer, who found fame on The X Factor in 2012, said he is “made” to perform at big musical events and believes he gets snubbed because of his time on the ITV reality show.

“I would love to be considered I guess credible enough to perform at these things,” he said on This Morning. “I think I was made to perform at Glastonbury and these big festivals. I am a musician. I have worked very hard, it’s been seven years since The X Factor and it’s amazing that I have managed to sustain a career. 

“There is a little bit of snobbery attached to being from a reality TV show and I think maybe we get overlooked for things like that. For me, it sucks because I believe I am made for those kind of things.”

Arthur also told hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes that despite people’s opinions, he believes he is less manufactured than some of his fellow artists who found fame outside of reality TV.

“Most of the people in my lane are probably more manufactured than I was,” he said. “I was in a position where I had to go for The X Factor.

“I didn’t have any money, I didn’t have people pumping finance into me…you hear these guys on the radio and they are billed as these homegrown [artists] who have worked their way up and really, they come from some sort of money. 

“That’s not me being bitter, it’s a fact. It’s not a dig at [Glastonbury], I love it and that’s my dream.”

Arthur’s comments came hours after he tweeted his frustration at not being asked to perform at the Worthy Farm event following the announcement of the full line-up.

He wrote: “Thanks @GlastoFest for asking me to play again this year! So glad you aren’t snobs and look down on me for any particular reason. #honoured #glastonbury2019.”

Stormzy, The Killers and The Cure will headline the iconic Pyramid Stage which will also play host to Kylie Minogue during the Sunday afternoon Legends slot.

Keith Flint, the late Prodigy frontman, will be honoured with a one hour long DJ tribute, following his death earlier this year.