Thursday, August 6, 2009

Contestant with Asperger's predicted to be sensation on Britain's "The X Factor"

From The Daily Mirror in the UK:


An X Factor contestant with Asperger's syndrome will become an overnight star when the new series starts later this month.

Scott James (pictured), 21, tells judges he didn’t leave home for seven years because of the condition, which makes it hard for him to socialise.

But when he starts to sing, the judges are stunned by his voice.

Music allowed Scott to escape from exile in his bedroom and his performance is tipped to be one of the highlights of the series.

He is likely to be compared with Susan Boyle, who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent after living a sheltered life.

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue said Scott’s audition was amazing.

She said: “He came on stage and told us he hadn’t left the house for seven years because of his Asperger’s and being picked on.

“Then he started singing. You will not believe his performance.”

Before the audition, only the locals in Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, knew of Scott’s amazing singing voice.

Parents Ken and Sharon took him to a studio to make a CD for friends.

Studio boss Mike Frankland said: “The first time we heard him sing we were in tears.”

Scott wowed the X Factor judges with You Raise Me Up. Viewers will also see him sing Katy Perry’s Hot ’n’ Cold and Faith Hill’s There You’ll Be. But they will have to wait until later in the series to see if he makes it through boot camp.