X Factor winner inspires pupils

A school photo of UK X Factor winner James Arthur in his British School of Bahrain (BSB) uniform has been put up in the school library which now contains copies of his book highlighting his happy times as a pupil.

Shy James, with his eyes on the ground, looks little like the charismatic singer now playing sell-out shows and with a chart-topping single to his name.

Amanda Fergusson of the school’s marketing department said: “We have put up a poster in the library which includes the only photo we could find of James in BSB school uniform.”

As reported in GulfWeekly the star’s official TV talent show winner’s book James Arthur – My Story, published by Harper Collins, reveals how he moved to Bahrain at the age of nine but he had to return to the UK when his mother and stepfather split up.

He said: “I especially liked school as all the kids in my class were from all over the world, so I experienced a lot of different cultures.

“When I first realised that I wanted to be a singer I kept it to myself, and it wasn’t until I moved to Bahrain that I even took part in a school performance.”

When he was 12 and 13 he won leading roles in the school musicals Oliver! and The Pirates of Penzance, notching the ‘performance of the year’ award for his latter role as the general.

“Whenever I was in plays it was because my teachers used to encourage me to get involved, and they really pushed me, otherwise I’m not sure I would have bothered,” he revealed.
“We stayed in Bahrain for a few years and I had an amazing time.”

James is fondly remembered by his fellow students and teachers at BSB which was based in Adliya when he attended. He has received an invitation to return to formally open its music and drama rehearsal studios and a 400-seat auditorium, which is part of an expansion of its current Hamala base.

Fans hope the 24-year-old will perform at the new National Theatre of Bahrain in Manama as part of a series of concerts planned in the Gulf region.

In the meantime, pupils at BSB will have to make do with the book. Mrs Fergusson said: “Senior school students waited anxiously for the books to arrive, and they have been booked out already, with a waiting list! 

“We await comments on the content of the autobiography, but the students who have taken the book out of the library described James’ success as a real inspiration to us to ‘just follow our dreams’.”