X Factor Storm is reading Simon Cowell's book for inspiration

One of this year's would-be X Factor stars has revealed his secret weapon - early nights tucked up in bed with Simon Cowell's autobiography.

Edinburgh-born Storm said today he was busy reading up on the life of the reality show supremo.

He said: "I think I'll win him over by being really committed to being me. I'm studying his autobiography right now, that is my bedside reading, because I want to know what we have in common.

"I know we are probably very, very similar. I have a real commitment to telling the truth and being myself and not caring what people think."

The 37-year-old singer, whose real name is Lee Gardner, moved to Los Angeles years ago to chase his dreams of stardom.

But he admitted he was one of the underdogs in the race for the reality show prize and said he represented everyone who had "been told 'no' or were too fat or too skinny, too old or too ugly".

He said his fellow over-28 contender, Dubliner Mary Byrne, was suffering with a sore throat and battling to be fit for Saturday's show, but said they were all getting support from mentor Louis Walsh, who was desperate to win.

He said: "He is the real deal. I didn't expect him to be so really deeply involved and he actually really seems to care."

Storm, sporting newly dyed bright red hair, even revealed Walsh had called him at 2am in the morning to talk about the show.

And he said there had also been "late night conversations" with fellow contender Katie Waissel.

The 24-year-old songstress also paid tribute to Storm, who she said was "a special friend".

She said: "He is super-cool, so much fun and creative."