X FACTOR judges failed to put a singing sensation into the final 24 to prevent a repeat of the Susan Boyle controversy, a vocal coach says.

Scott James, of Stockton, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, a type of autism, was knocked out of the competition during last night’s show after he forgot the words during a performance.

Fellow North-East contestant Amie Buck is also out after she failed to impress the judges at boot camp.

The 22-year-old lap dancer, who lives in Gateshead and went to school in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was rejected after she forgot her words for the second audition in succession.

The story of Mr James, also 22, was featured over two nights at the weekend – with X Factor triumphant in the ratings war on Saturday for the second week running.

The ITV show was watched by an average of 8.9 million viewers, while BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing had an average of 7.9 million viewers.

Mr James’ vocal coach, Linzi Hunter, said X Factor bosses were worried about putting him on live television following a series of panic attacks during boot camp.

He spent seven years as a recluse, refusing to leave his home for fear of being bullied.

Susan Boyle spent time in a London clinic following weeks of intense media scrutiny that left her exhausted and acting strangely after she shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent.

Scott’s show-stopping performance at the X Factor auditions in Manchester, stunned the four judges and earned him a place in the next round – boot camp. But after scraping through to the final 50, he then forgot his lines and the judges decided he had to leave the competition.

Ms Hunter said: “There were one or two problems during boot camp and I think they were worried about ending up with a repeat of what happened with Susan Boyle.

“He had a panic attack and forgot the words. They offered him the chance to come back an hour later, but Scott did not want to be singled out, so he carried on.

“It might have been a different story if he had come along before Susan Boyle, but I think they were worried how he would cope with the live shows.”

Ms Hunter said: “I do honestly think they helped him.

He was given his own room and they gave him the opportunity in the first place.

“People without any problems would struggle in that situation and I do not think he was ready for winning, but it would have been nice to get to the live shows.

“He is disappointed, but he is already thinking about what to do next. He has had a lot of offers. The response has been amazing, and everyone has been so supportive.

“He has a good future ahead of him and he would like to go on X Factor again one day.