X Factor's James Arthur gears up for this week's show by performing on stage with Labrinth

PUBLISHED: 18:00 EST, 26 October 2012 | UPDATED: 18:08 EST, 26 October 2012

He's been one of the stand out contestants on this year's The X Factor so far.

And it seems James Arthur is very quickly getting accustomed to his new job singing his heart out.

The singer has even been mixing with chart-hitting stars this week as he gears up for this Saturday's live show.

He could get used to this! The X Factor's James Arthur has been gearing up for this week's live show by performing on stage with Labrinth

Star pals: Labrinth was so impressed with James after appearing on The X Factor last week he invited him on stage at one of his concerts this week

James Arthur has been limbering up for the latest heat of the programme with a starring role at a Labrinth's latest gig.

The rapper and producer invited the tattooed contestant to join him on stage after being impressed by him when he appeared as a guest on last Sunday's show on ITV1.

Labrinth performed on the results programme alongside Emeli Sande.

Rocking out: James showed off his skills to a cheering crowd at the gig at Manchester Academy

He had been keen to meet the wannabe and they ended up jamming together backstage.

They got on so well that James headed up to Labrinth's show at Manchester Academy and rapped during the performance of chart hit Earthquake with his own lyrics, to cheering crowds.

James - who had a panic attack a fortnight ago as a result of appearing on a live edition of X Factor - said: 'It was a totally unreal experience being on stage with Labrinth. He put on a great show and is a real hero of mine.