James Arthur shuts down rumours of romance with Jesy Nelson: 'We were not kissing'

The X Factor winner slammed the reports as "a sad state of affairs"
Speaking out: James Arthur debunked romance rumours
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Sony
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James Arthur has firmly shut down rumours of a romance with Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson after it was reported that they were “all over each other” at a BRIT Awards after party.

An onlooker told The Sun that the pair spent “over two hours” talking to each other after Nelson arrived at the official Sony party with her bandmates and their respective boyfriends.

“She kept grabbing his hands and pulling him close to whisper in his ear,” the insider told the paper. “At one point Jesy gave James a hug, while he kissed her cheeks and forehead.”

A separate source told OK! that the former X Factor winners were “all over each other” and “constantly smiling and laughing.”

Just friends: Little Mix star Jesy Nelson
Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images

However, Arthur has since set the record straight, describing the speculation as “a sad state of affairs” and explaining that the friends were “talking closely” due to the loud music.

“Firstly we were not kissing we were talking closely because it was loud as f*** in a club, have you ever tried having a conversation when theres [sic] loud music, you gotta be tactile,” he tweeted.

“Sad state of a affairs [sic] when a guy and a girl can’t sit and chat without being romantically involved.”

Little Mix at The Brit Awards 2019 - In pictures

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He then added: “What kind of a person sneaks pics of people sitting and chatting at a party. Scruffy that.”

A representative for Nelson and Arthur confirmed to Standard Online that the pair are “just friends.”

The 27-year-old Little Mix singer was previously linked to Love Island’s Chris Hughes after they were photographed kissing last month, but is thought to have called time on the relationship after just three weeks in order to focus on her career.

“Jesy has explained that she needs to protect herself and her career, and taking their romance any further was proving a massive risk,” an insider told The Sun earlier this month.

“Out of nowhere their relationship became public and they were photographed snogging. Some of Jesy’s pals are asking how the paparazzi knew they were there.

“For now, she’s going to enjoy being single until the right man comes along.”

Nelson split up with fellow musician Harry James in November.

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