'We've been through so much': James Arthur confirms he is back together with ex Jessica Grist... and gushes she is 'special' after supporting him through brutal glass attack

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They were rumoured to have rekindled their romance in October, after they were spotted enjoying a cheeky Nando's together.

But James Arthur has now officially confirmed that he and dancer Jessica Grist are once again an item, following their break-up in 2014.

The 28-year-old admitted to The Sun that he is still seeing the blonde, and gushed that she was 'really special' - after she supported him during the trial of the thug that glassed him in the back of the head last year.

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Back on: James Arthur has now officially confirmed that he and dancer Jessica Grist are once again an item, following their break-up in 2014

The pair first met on The X Factor in 2012, where Jessica was a dancer and James a contestant, who eventually went on to win the reality show. 

While their first relationship broke down in 2015, the Say You Won't Let Go singer has now confirmed to the paper that the pair are once again dating.

He said: 'I'm still seeing Jess. I don't like to talk about it too much just because we've been through so much.'

Second try: James said of the romance: 'I'm still seeing Jess. I don't like to talk about it too much just because we've been through so much'

With the couple reportedly determined to maintain the relationship amid their busy working schedules, he added: 'I do worry I'm not there enough, and at the moment it's kind of like that.'

A source told the publication that the pair were 'committed' to making the romance work this time around - even with Jessica travelling the world as a dancer, and with James embarking on a UK tour in March.

However it seems their union is already solid, with James adding to the paper that Jess had helped him through his toughest times - including his traumatic bottle attack last year.

Support system: James added that his girl has helped him through his toughest times - including his traumatic bottle attack last year

'Jess is really special,' he continued. 'She looked after me when I was at my very lowest.' 

James recently described the emotional trauma of being glassed by a jealous thug, in retaliation to the singer bedding his ex-girlfriend

The X Factor winner admitted he found CCTV footage of the incident deeply 'disturbing' as he spoke out after his attacker was jailed for five and a half years last week.

James, who was left with a nasty gash on the back of his head after the assault last August, revealed that he would be forced to live with the traumatising ordeal for the rest of his life.

Ordeal: James Arthur has described the emotional trauma of being glassed by a jealous thug after the singer bedded his ex-girlfriend

'It was tough to see footage of it. It was quite disturbing to see it. I'm glad it's behind me,' he told The Sun.

'It was an ordeal I'm going to have to carry with me for the rest of my life.'  

Speaking about facing his relatives after thug Christopher Revell's sentencing, he added: 'I will feel nervous about going home and seeing friends and family. I don't know what kind of damage it's done. 

The Say You Won't Let Go singer added that he felt worried about head trauma, and was nervous about performing energetically onstage or even playing football in case he caused further damage.

James, who said that 'justice is done' with Revell's verdict, added that he was no longer in touch with his attacker's ex-girlfriend Gemma Iveson.

Harrowing: The 28-year-old, who was left with a nasty gash on the back of his head after the assault last August, revealed that he would be forced to live with the traumatising ordeal for the rest of his life

Attack: Gemma Iveson took this selfie with James Arthur in a pub - causing her ex-boyfriend to fly into a jealous rage

It comes as shocking footage emerged showing the moment James was smashed over the head.

The attack by jealous ex-lover Christopher Revell, 31, took place in The Plimsoll Line pub in Redcar, North Yorkshire, as the star was out drinking with friends.

Revell ran towards the former X-Factor winner from behind, smashing the glass on his head, before punching him until he was dragged off.  

Arthur, who was taken to hospital and needed five staples in his head, had reportedly had a one-night stand with Gemma Iveson after she broke up with Revell.

Earlier in the evening of August 20 last year Ms Iveson had taken a selfie with 28-year-old Arthur then shown it to Revell.

Prosecutor Nick Dry said: 'James Arthur and his group were walking towards the beer garden when without warning or provocation Mr Revell smashed a glass forcibly on the back of his head.

Horrifying: This CCTV still shows the shocking moment the X-Factor star (circled in red), was assaulted by Christopher Revell (circled in yellow)

Jealous attack: The singer had reportedly had a one-night stand with Gemma Iveson (right) after she broke up with Revell (left)

'As he stumbled forward from the incident the defendant followed up with a punch.'

He told Teesside Crown Court that Revell, a former cable fitter from Redcar, had initially denied using a glass after he was arrested - but launched the attack after Arthur 'smirked at him'.

The 31-year-old was due to go on trial for the offence but entered a last minute guilty plea to a charge of wounding with intent.

The court heard Revell had 12 previous convictions, including battery and assault.

In a statement read out in court, Arthur claimed he initially feared the injuries would affect his music career and said he felt nervous to visit friends and family in his home town.

Thug: The court heard Revell had 12 previous convictions, including battery and assault

Verdict: Sentencing Revell to five-and-a-half years in prison after he pleaded guilty, Judge Tony Briggs said the attack had left Arthur with a 'nasty gash on his head'

The prosecutor said: 'He claimed he had attacked him because he had slept with an ex-girlfriend some time ago.

'He said he had lost it and whacked him as hard as he could.

'He denied using a glass and said he had gone into a rage when Arthur smirked at him.'

The court heard that the couple had broken up and then got back together, but after doing so the defendant found text messages on her phone relating to the fling with Arthur.

Andrew Turton, defending, said his client had lost his home and his job working offshore as a result of the attack.

'Justice is done': The star hid his face beneath a baseball cap as he left Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough after giving evidence

'The defendant was in a previous relationship with a local woman and there was a fallout between the two,' he said.

'The relationship resumed but it became apparent from text messages on her phone that there had been an encounter with James Arthur which sounded the death knell for the relationship.'

Sentencing Revell to five-and-a-half years in prison after he pleaded guilty, Judge Tony Briggs said the attack had left Arthur with a 'nasty gash on his head'.

'It's clear from your record that you are someone who has difficulty controlling your temper,' he said.

'You went after James Arthur and attacked him from behind forcefully with a glass you had in your hand and followed it up with a punch.' 

New horizons: James won the X Factor in 2012, with Nicole Scherzinger as his mentor (pictured at a BRITs party on Wednesday)