Prestonpans teenager auditions for X Factor The Band

In the new show, which began airing on Monday, Simon Cowell is searching for the next big British group.

Louis Robertson, 19, of Nethershot Road, sang George Ezra’s Blame It On Me in a filmed audition in front of Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and a panel of experts, one whom he recognised as the DJ Naughty Boy, at Sony Music’s head office in London.

Louis, who works at Scottish Widows, did not get through to the next stage of the competition but was delighted to have been picked to perform in front of the judges.

He got a call on the Sunday night from the show producers after his mum and girlfriend filled in an application for him and sent off a video of him performing.

The former Preston Lodge High School pupil said: “I got a phone call asking if I would like to go to an audition last Tuesday in London.

“I got time off my work and took the night bus down on the Monday night. I only had an hour of sleep on the way, so it was a difficult day.

“I did two auditions in front of producers and one in front of the judges in Simon Cowell’s office.

“Simon and Nicole were sitting judging at a table and then to the right of them was a panel of experts, kind of like a jury that would comment on some contestants, not myself.

“I sang my first song and Simon stopped me and asked if I had any original songs, which I do.

“I stood there for about five seconds panicking trying to think of something to sing!

“So I sang one of my own ones but I didn’t have any backing tracks or anything so I had to do it a capella.

“It was all filmed, it’s not a one hundred per cent guarantee that it will be on the telly so we’ll just need to wait and see.

“The sitting room outside his office was filmed as well and I had a little chat with [presenter] Dermot [O’Leary] afterwards.

“I would have been buzzing to have got through obviously, but I don’t think the competition is really for me so I’m not that bothered.”