X-Factor competitor with Asperger's says he wants to show he can makes a success of his life

From The Sun in the UK:

After Susan Boyle's breakdown, it looked like TV bosses would shy away from contestants who might struggle in the limelight.

But Asperger Syndrome sufferer Scott James (pictured) impressed The X Factor judges so much that producers rallied round to keep him on board.

The timid 22-year-old was so badly bullied because of his autism that he didn't leave his house for seven years.

He was beaten, kicked and taunted by classmates - partly because of his love of music.

But he got over his difficult childhood and discovered he had a singing voice which judge Dannii Minogue said gave her "goosebumps" on last night's show as he got through to boot camp.

Scott Sept. 20 insisted it was right he should be allowed to compete.

He said "I thought I could cope - it wouldn't have been fair at all for someone to decide on my behalf that I couldn't take part because of my Asperger's.

"Simon Cowell and the producers have given me such support."

Scott's condition makes it hard for him to socialise and read other people's facial expressions. Fellow pupils made his life a misery at school. Scott explained: "They called me retarded and laughed at the way I walked and the way I looked. I was overweight, wore glasses and walked with an unusual gait. My school reports said it was like I didn't exist. No one would sit next to me. I'd find a corner and stay in it.

"They would throw things at the back of my head when the teacher wasn't looking - books, pencil cases, anything they could get their hands on. And they'd hit me with things and kick me.

"They'd put bits of paper in their mouth and spit them out through pens so it was all over my clothes and hair.

"A couple of them even decided to treat me to an unwanted dip in a pond behind the school. The teachers didn't know much about it and when they did it was impossible for them to do anything."

After years of torment by the age of 13, Scott, an only child from Stockton-on-Tees, decided life was unbearable.

He said: "I'd had enough. I didn't want to exist - that's how bad it got. I kept thinking, 'What have I done to deserve this? Why are these people treating me like this?' I felt it wasn't worth it." Scott began playing truant from school and hiding all day in the garden shed at home. But he later discovered the talent for singing that was to change his life.

Mum Sharon, 51, a former secretary and now Scott's full-time carer, took him for singing lessons and life took a new turn.

He applied to The X Factor and was invited to audition.

Courageously overcoming his fear of crowds, he appeared in front of the judges and a 2,000-strong audience.

His performance of the Westlife hit You Raise Me Up - screened to millions last night - stunned the judges.

Cheryl Cole described him as a massive inspiration. Simon Cowell was so impressed he went backstage to shake hands with him.

Scott said: "He said to me 'This is going to be difficult, can you handle it?' And I said 'I'll certainly try. Thank you.'"

Now Scott hopes being on the show will help him get his own home and a girlfriend.

He insisted: "I'm proud to be autistic. I've met some incredible people with autism.

"I want to show that that we can make a success of our lives."