Sam Fender: Returning home for lockdown helped me come to terms with sudden fame

Sam Fender has told how he used lockdown to “come to terms” with his sudden rise to fame.

The Brit award-winning singer admitted he had struggled to cope with becoming famous virtually overnight - saying he has spent the past few months on a journey of “self-exploration”.

Fender, 26, won the 2019 Rising Star award and released his chart-topping album Hypersonic Missiles within months of signing a major record label.

Before he got his record label, Fender, from North Shields, near Newcastle, was a busker, was on benefits and released several tracks independently. He also tried to make it as an actor - starring in episodes of ITV drama Vera and CBBC show Wolfblood.

Speaking about returning home as the pandemic hit in March, Fender said: “I found being back here [in North Shields] quite unnerving. I was coming to terms with all the stuff, all the fame I had found. I went inwards, very much so.

"It wasn’t the best of times, but I am coming out the other end of that. And there has been a lot of self-exploration and trying to sort myself out.”

Speaking about the impact fame had had on his mental health, he said: “You would be mental if you didn’t feel mental [dealing with fame]. On the flip side, I get to do my hobby as my job. I am very lucky. I just have to get my head screwed on and do my sh**.”

Fender was speaking as it was announced he had signed a 18-month brand partnership with outerwear brand Barbour and retailer Scotts.