John Newman explains why he 'shed a tear' at the success of his single 'Without You'

'Without You' singer John Newman joined us backstage at Hits Live Liverpool on Friday 15th November, telling presenter Jordan Lee his pre-show rituals, what's usually on his rider, and why he shed a little tear when he released new music earlier this year.

John, who teamed up with the amazing Nina Nesbitt on his single 'Without You' revealed he always has white socks on his rider, until Jordan pointed out that's a very popular requests with a lot of artists... To which John joked he now wants red socks only! 🙈

Of course, John made a comeback to music this year, and when Jordan asked how he felt when 'Without You' performed so well in the charts, John said, "It's amazing, I actually shed a tear the other day. I'm 29 now and my career started with an absolute bang and people are like 'no don't talk about that only be positive'. There is a challenge that comes in a career of length. I think I hit my challenges with my illness and with my mental heath based around my job and everything. I woke up one day and said 'I can't do that anymore', and it was either do I stop the job or do I go for this and see where I can really take it."

He added, "With a positive thinking mind I changed my screensaver to Wembley on my phone and I was like 'right i'm going to play Wembley stadium'. I've literally been around the country in a camper van, I've literally been touring and doing everything to get myself in a good place again.

"It is emotional, the whole thing, because I've never been this appreciative I don't think. Yeah it's just amazing. I'm very lucky to have been doing this as long as I have."

Speaking about his plans for Christmas this year, John revealed he usually goes down the pub with his brother, but this year things are going to be a lot different!

John told us he will be going to Denmark with his stunning wife Nana this year, revealing it's the first Christmas he's going to be spending without his immediate family. He said, "It's going to be weird. I'm a man now almost. I'm a grown up now. It will be different, but it will be good, it will be worth it."

John Newman has one of the most recognisable voices in British music, so we couldn't wait to hear him sing his biggest hits 'Love Me Again' and 'Come And Get It' on the stage. Although he hasn't yet announced details of a third album after debut record 'Tribute' in 2013 and follow-up 'Revolve' in 2015, he said last year that he would be "taking his time" with a third album.

The fantastic line-up at Hits Live Liverpool includes, James Arthur, John Newman, Jax Jones, Sigala, Freya Ridings, Becky Hill, RAYE, Joel Corry and HRVY.

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