Scottish student Nicolas McDonald booked his place at bootcamp with ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri at The X Factor arena auditions

16 year old Nicholas McDonald from Motherwell, returned to the X Factor tonight and surprised the judges and the Wembley Arena crowed with his performance.

Perhaps no one was more surprised than Gary Barlow, because he told the youngster that he may need another year before he would be ready for the competition after his first audition.

Speaking before his performance Nicholas confessed:

“Gary said no and I was too young but I am here to try and prove him wrong. When I got through it was absolutely amazing. I managed to get a kiss of Nicole. I was really chuffed with that and all my friends were jealous when I told them.”

“My mum and dad are amazing and they have supported me all the way. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here today.”

“It’s really overwhelming being here, everyone looks like a pop star and I don’t fit in with that. I don’t look like a pop star, I look like a wee Scottish guy.”

Nicholas went on to sing his version of ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri and received a standing ovation from audience.

Nicole Scherzinger said: “Nicholas you have a gorgeous voice, you’re really special. That was a brilliant audition, it was effortless! I genuinely cannot wait to hear your voice again.”

Sharon Osbourne: “You owned that audition, perfectly sung.”

Louis Walsh:  “Nicholas you nailed that, that was just incredible. if I was marking that out of ten i’d give you ten.”

Gary Barlow:  “I thought your audition was ok when we seen you last but today you completely knocked it out of the park, you really did.”

Nicolas sailed through to bootcamp with four yeses.