X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger is teaming up with her former protégé James Arthur for a duet on his new album
Singer had been turned down by Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding
WHEN JAMES ARTHUR tried to get ex-girlfriend RITA ORA and old pal ELLIE GOULDING to duet on his new album, neither returned his calls.
But one person DID pick up the phone — his former X Factor mentor NICOLE SCHERZINGER.
It is the superstar collaboration he has been looking for.
In an exclusive interview, he revealed the Pussycat Doll has agreed to team up for a new version of album track Let Me Love The Lonely.
James said: “We had a session booked but she was unwell so we haven’t done it yet.
“We originally got a girl in Poland to sing it. It went really well so we thought we should give Nicole a shout.”
The girl was MARINA LUCZENKO, wife of Arsenal goalkeeper WOJCIECH SZCZESNY.
James performed at their wedding before the Euros this year. The song was distributed to Polish radio, where James has a huge fanbase, but he wants a UK version with Nicole and is toying between releasing it as a single or putting it out as a bonus track online.
I recently revealed how James’s pleas for a collaboration to his former fling Rita and mate Ellie were met with radio silence.
He moaned: “It was tough to get people involved in this one, because I don’t think anyone expected me to come back.”
It’s little surprise Nicole was so keen to join forces.
She remained loyal to James through his downfall, encouraging him to get back into the studio and turn his career around.