THE X-FACTOR: Pulling power; `Why we're irresistible to the opposite sex'.

Byline: Text by Antonia Hoyle.

`I'm a fantastic flirt'

Amber Prince, 24, is an account manager for an exhibition company. She's single and lives in North London.

`I've always been very sociable. I'm friendly and open, so banter with the boys is easy. I'm not picky about who I chat to - I'll give anyone a chance.

`Unfortunately this gets me into trouble. Three years ago I broke up with my boyfriend because he couldn't handle my flirting. "I can't cope with guys chatting you up any more," he said. I couldn't help it - I wanted to talk to as many men as possible.

`A few months ago I was in another relationship when I went to a bar with friends. I met this guy and we got talking. But then he asked if he could take me out. I realised I'd gone too far with my flirting again and had to tell him I was attached.

`Now I'm single I find it easy to approach men and say casually, "Hey, how are you?" It doesn't sound contrived and conversation usually flows. The key is to be laid-back and pick a non-threatening subject. I know a lot about sport and find football normally works pretty well - blokes are impressed I know the offside rule!

`I make an effort with my appearance and wear skirts and kitten heels when I'm out. My red hair gets me noticed as well - I've lost count of the number of men who tell me, "You know what they say about redheads!" And it's true - I can be fiery - but I'm also friendly and fun. The combination makes for brilliant pulling power!'

`I'm a good listener'

Daryl Thompson, 24, is a construction manager. He's single and lives in York.

`Women approach me because they like the way I look - I'm tall, dark and reasonably attractive. But the main reason I pull is because I'm a good listener and don't treat women like sex objects.

`Sometimes I'll overhear men say stuff like, "Cor, you've got a good handful on you, love." It doesn't surprise me they don't pull when they treat women like pieces of meat.

`I met my first serious girlfriend, Tricia, in a bar when I was 21. We chatted for hours about what she was up to, what she was into and what her plans were for the future. I was much happier letting her talk about herself than downing pints with the boys. We drifted apart after three years but she always said she loved me because I listened.

`The other week I was in a club when two girls came up to me. There was a guy pestering them, and they wanted to stick with me because I didn't look like I'd give them any hassle. Before she left one of the girls asked for my number. "You're great because you seemed genuinely interested and didn't try and grope me," she said.

`My friends give me hassle for having a sensitive side, but they still ask my advice when they have girlfriend trouble. "Just talk to women and stop thinking about having sex with them," I say.

`Men think they have to be macho but it doesn't do them any favours when it comes to pulling. I get girls coming on to me all the time because I drop the lad act and get to know them.'

`I'm super-stylish'

Selina Mirams, 20, is an account manager for a public relations firm. She lives in East London and has been going out with Kayden for seven months.

`I used to wear baggy jumpers and trainers with glasses and scraped-back hair. But as I grew up I realised I could be more attractive if I made an effort.

`So I got contact lenses, had my hair cut and stopped hiding behind baggy clothes. I bought flattering trousers and fitted tops. By my 18th birthday my confidence was sky-high. I had a sexy new wardrobe that got me noticed.

`I get loads of male attention now. Guys don't understand labels and the latest fashions but they say stuff like, "That colour makes you look foxy" and "Your bum looks great in those trousers." I don't dress provocatively: subtlety is more attractive. I'll only show off one feature at a time, like my legs or my back.

`Last year I bought a pair of brown leather cowboy boots. I christened them my pulling boots because the first time I wore them I got asked out three times in one evening. All three guys said they loved my boots - they thought I looked sexy, original and cool. They weren't my type but it was flattering.

`When I met my boyfriend Kayden in a bar I was wearing a backless top I felt gorgeous in. Kayden said later I looked so sexy in the top he fell for me immediately. He finds it hard now because I get eyed up a lot.

`I spend a lot on clothes, mixing high-street fashion with vintage pieces and designer labels. Clothes give me confidence. I look stylish, funky and sexy - and men love it.' `I've got a sexy voice'

Tony Bowden, 23, is a singer in a tribute band to The Strokes. He's single and lives in North London.

`Girls were never interested in me as a teenager. But when I was 17 I entered a karaoke competition in our local pub - I sang Stand By Me and amazingly I won. Girls came up to congratulate me. I finally had some female attention and it felt great.

`I went to music college to study singing when I was 18. I was the only guy in my class so I got loads of attention. The girls would compliment me on my strong, powerful and sexy voice. I dated a few, but by this stage I was too busy having fun to commit to anyone.

`After college I formed a tribute band to Robbie Williams - that got the offers of dates pouring in. At gigs bouncers would hand me slips of paper with girls' numbers on. I'd decide which one I fancied and spend the night with her. That was how I met my first girlfriend, when I was 22. But we split up after six months - she couldn't handle girls hitting on me and thought I was cheating on her.

`As soon as I tell girls what I do they're fascinated. I'm in a Strokes tribute band now and more women are chatting me up than ever. `I've come a long way from the quiet teenager who couldn't get a snog. I've got rock-star hair and try to dress the part, but it's my voice that gets me noticed. I don't feel used though - it's great to have such an attractive asset.'

`I'm a curvy blonde'

Laura Day, 24, is a PA for a headhunting firm. She's single and lives in South London.

`My blonde hair, blue eyes and curvy figure mean guys approach me all the time. "You're so attractive I had to introduce myself," they say.

`I had my first serious boyfriend at 19. He got jealous of other men ogling me and we broke up because I felt stifled.

`When I go out with my girlfriends men try it on. It's flattering - it's nice to be fancied. Sometimes the attention gets too much though. In a club last year this weird man wouldn't leave me alone. "Dance with me, beautiful," he kept saying. He dragged me on to the dance floor - I was so embarrassed.

`And a couple of months ago I was at the bar when a random man came up to me. "What are you drinking?" he asked. I told him I'd get my own but he wouldn't leave me alone and followed me back to my table. I was so desperate to get rid of him I told him I was a lesbian - he backed off then!

`My long blonde hair is a focal point for guys. Sometimes they zone in on it without even bothering to find out what I look like. I normally go out in jeans and a funky T-shirt. If I wear a low-cut top I get men leering which makes me feel vulnerable.

`I'm not an egomaniac - other women are better looking than me. Being blonde and pretty means I'm not short of offers, but it's only when men get to know my personality that I feel really valued.'

`I make

women laugh'

Cole Parker, 29, is a stand-up comedian. He's single and lives in East London.

`I've always been the centre of attention. As a kid I'd be on the bus and would have the whole top deck in fits, telling jokes. When I grew up I realised I could use my talent to woo women.

`I don't use chat-up lines or reel off my work routines. But I do have a natural charm and wit. Once I've got a girl smiling she's mine.

`I met my only serious girlfriend, Karen, in a club in 1998. It was my humour that got her into bed. We were always laughing.

`Sometimes the attention from women when I'm out gets too much. If I tell them I'm a comedian they ask me to tell jokes. Often I think they're after my sense of humour without knowing the real me. Recently a group of girls followed me to every gig I did for weeks. It put me off my routine and I had to ask them to move away from the stage. `My mates are impressed by the way women swarm around me and get me to go out with them to help them pull. I get asked out a lot. The women in my life come and go though, and until I can find a girl who makes me laugh too I'll stay single.'

For details of Cole's next gig, see www.boundandgaggedcomedy.com.

CAPTION(S):

Photographs by Dean Belcher. Styled by Fran Jepps Top scorers, from left to right: Amber, the flirt; Laura, the curvy blonde; Tony, the sexy singer; Cole, the funny man; Daryl, the good listener; Selina, the style queen