Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Was "X Factor" contestant with Asperger's vetoed off show because of the "Susan Boyle effect"?

From The Mirror in the UK. Here's Scott James' audition interview.

Scott James, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, forgot the words during a TV performance seen by 8.9 million at the weekend.

Sept. 28, it emerged the 22-year-old had suffered a series of panic attacks before failing to make the final 24.

The Mirror told earlier this month how ex-recluse Scott, of Stockton-on-Tees, has now overcome his phobias.

But his parents Sharon and Ken reckon ITV bosses vetoed him in case he cracked up in the spotlight of the finals like SuBo - who spent time in a clinic after her rise to global fame in Britain's Got Talent.

Scott's singing coach Linzi Hunter said: "It might have been different if he'd come along before Susan. I think they were worried how he'd cope with the live shows - but his future still looks good."