Comedian Frankie Boyle - who has a history of spats with Arthur - tweeted, "From the pic I thought it was a child's drawing of a monster...Sit down &( so far as it's technically possible) shut your mouth."
The Artwork for James Arthur's Self-Titled Album
Arthur had a response to that, saying, "You are a 38 yr old man what are you doing? You know nothing about music and comedy it seems.. I feel sorry for your kids," to which Boyle came back, "I feel sorry for them too, because they'll have to watch you in panto next year."
Arthur eventually issued a formal(ish) apology, saying, "Any offence I have caused by using the term 'queer' in my rap battle with MC Worthless. I just have to say I'm extremely disappointed in myself for being so naive with the diss track I made for an unknown rapper recently. I would just like to make it completely clear that it was not meant in anyway as a reference to homosexuality."
He also added: "I realise where the term has come from in meaning... but used in the context of the rap battles I have grown up with it has come to mean something completely different... That said, I understand why it could cause offence and that definitely wasn't my intention."
James Arthur's self-titled debut album entered the UK chart at No.2 following its release on November 4, 2013.