James Arthur diagnosed with 'acute exhaustion' following Twitter spat with Lucy Spraggan

The X Factor star has been instructed by a doctor to rest for several days

X Factor 2012 winner James Arthur

Former X Factor winner James Arthur has been instructed to take time away from the music scene after being diagnosed with 'acute exhaustion'.

The 25-year-old singer has been told to "rest for several days" by his doctor and has cancelled all engagements during this period.

A statement on his website read: “Unfortunately James Arthur has been diagnosed with acute exhaustion and instructed to rest for several days by his doctor.

"Regretfully, he has been forced to cancel all engagements during this period. James would like to apologise to his fans for any disappointment caused to them by these cancellations and he hopes to get back to full health as soon as possible.“

The "Impossible" singer hit headlines this week after a public Twitter clash with fellow 2012 contestant Lucy Spraggan over his use of anti-gay language.

Spraggan criticised Arthur after he rapped the homophobic slur "you f**king queer", and later tweeted a text message he had allegedly sent her.

The text read: "Lucy what are you playing at having digs at me? Is it coz you're a gay rights activist you had to say something as extreme as 'people kill themselves every day over words like queer' are you for real?"

"And for you're [sic] information my album was self-penned. My album sold 10 times youres [sic] in it's first week so you can f**k off with you're [sic] career sh*te. Stop reading the press 'mate'. Real people don't care."

"Tea and Toast" singer Spraggan responded by calling him an "a***hole" and a "d**k", and warned: "Don't f**k with the gays."

Arthur's management is now thought to have taken control of his Twitter profile.

His next single, the aptly-named "Recovery", was Zane Lowe's 'Record Of The Day' on Radio 1 yesterday.