‘The X Factor’ UK notes: Union J records; James Arthur meets Simon Cowell

We may now be several weeks removed from the end of “The X Factor” UK, but Union J and James Arthur each had the opportunity on Monday to make some major steps to fulfilling their dream careers with the help of all the exposure they obtained while on the show.

When it comes to the band (who were known as Triple J before the show without George on board), they announced in a post on Twitter that they are in the studio recording what should end up being their debut single. In the process, they also had to apologize for having to cancel a gig in Northern Ireland:

“Recording our first single on Monday! So sorry Belfast but we have to change the gig date, things are moving so fast for us! We’ll be back!”

Union J should have an album out at some point in the later summer of the fall, as we are certain that Simon Cowell would love to have these lads performing on “The X Factor” at some point this coming season to promote it.

Speaking of Simon … he met James Arthur today? The reigning champ took to his own Twitter today to confirm the news, and he also stroked Simon’s ego a little bit for good measure:

“Met @SimonCowell today! What a legend!”

Cowell has always had a certain level of popularity in Great Britain as a music mogul, but it has risen in recent years thanks largely to his role in boosting the career of One Direction, who refer to him affectionately as Uncle Simon.

Auditions for “The X Factor” UK are set to begin in the spring; and in case you have not heard, Tulisa is not leaving the show despite some nasty rumors suggesting that she and fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger are in a feud. (The “Young” singer even took to her Twitter to blast them.)

Photo: ITV