X Factor champ James Arthur has hit back at Matt Cardle's scathing remarks by claiming he is "desperate for press".

The two X Factor winners are currently locked in a very public war of words, after Arthur claimed that previous male victors on the hit TV talent show "haven't made great albums".

In an interview a couple of days later, 2010 winner Cardle responded to Arthurs comments, retorting: "Look, James, you're very talented but you haven't sold two million records yet, which I have. You haven't had two top ten albums yet, which I've had. Don't start mouthing off before you've even really left the show.'"

Arthur has now taken to Twitter to add more fuel to the fire.

He chimed: "2 million returned and now live in the bargain bin at asda. Give it up the tunes are brutal.. the desperation for press is embarrassing," before adding: " Platinum single baby! Not a bad start :) thanks to all who bought it now make sure the hillsbrough tune is number 1!! #LOVE (sic)."

Arthur's tweet is in reference to The Justice Collective's Hillsborough disaster charity song 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' - recorded by an all-star cast featuring Robbie Williams and Sir Paul McCartney.

The track has overtaken the X Factor singer's 'Impossible' in the singles chart in the race for the coveted Christmas No. 1.