Asperger's singer impresses on 'X Factor'

Reclusive Asperger's singer Scott James has impressed at the auditions of this year's X Factor, reports The Independent.

The singer, 21, was apparently so fearful of socialising that he spent most of his teenage years in his bedroom and rarely left his home in Stockton-on-Tees.

However, his performance of 'You Raise Me Up' for judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh on the ITV1 talent show reportedly stunned the studio audience.

"He came on stage and he was very particular about explaining his condition," said Minogue. "He told us that because of his Asperger's syndrome and the fact that he'd been picked on, he hadn't left the house in seven years. But he just stood there calmly and told us that his singing teacher had been helping him to build his confidence.

"Then he started singing. You will not believe his performance when you see it."

His vocal coach Linzi Hunter added: "The audience went mental after his performance and Simon called me up on stage to speak to me about Scott and his singing.

"After that he personally came back stage and shook our hands and said how brilliant Scott was. He did seem quite concerned about Scott and asked me how I thought he would cope if he got further into the competition. But Scott has just taken it all in his stride."

James performs Katy Perry's 'Hot N Cold' and Faith Hill's 'There You'll Be' at Boot Camp, but it is not known whether he makes it into the next round of the competition.