Britain's "X Factor" judge believes contestant with Asperger's won't be able to cope

From The Telegraph in the UK:

The X Factor contestant Scott James, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, will not be able to cope with the stress of appearing on the show, according to judge Louis Walsh (pictured).

The 21-year-old is set to become a household name when the new series begins on ITV1 this Saturday, and already he is being tipped as the new Susan Boyle.

James performed for the judges at the Manchester auditions and explained that he had not left his house for seven years as a result of his condition.

His story has drawn comparisons with Boyle, star of Britain's Got Talent, who was admitted to a psychiatric clinic after the pressures of instant fame took their toll.

Asked if someone like James could take the strain of appearing on The X Factor, Walsh told the Radio Times: "I don't think they can, if I'm honest. People don't realise the pressure that these acts are under, especially when they're competing with everybody else backstage.

"It's a very difficult show to do, even as a judge. It's very gruelling, and it's ten weeks of very intense performance. Everything you say and do is being watched. It's like Big Brother meets Jerry Springer."

However, Walsh said that James was entitled to enter the contest. "Nobody forces anybody to go to an audition. I think it's a real-life story. Is he under too much pressure? I think it has to be his choice."

James, from Stockton-on-Tees, entered The X Factor after attending singing lessons. Judge Dannii Minogue said: "He came on stage and he was very particular about explaining his condition.

"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."

Mike Frankland and his partner, Linzi Hunter, began coaching James in 2007. "He had spent pretty much his whole life in his bedroom until his mother decided to drag him out of the house and bring him to us," Mr Frankland said.

"The first time we heard him sing we were in tears. He has such a beautiful, strong singing voice. It was amazing to think that only a few people had ever heard him sing."

Miss Hunter dislosed that Simon Cowell went backstage after the audition to congratulate James and his singing teachers. She said: "He did seem quite concerned about Scott and asked me how I thought he would cope if he got further in the competition. But Scott has just taken it all in his stride."