'Our Scott's a victim of SuBo factor' TELEVISION.

Byline: JEREMY ARMSTRONG

THE family of the autistic singer who cracked under the pressure of X Factor's boot camp believe he was eliminated to avoid a repeat of the Susan Boyle controversy.

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

Yesterday, 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."

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