Irish X Factor star Ben Quinlan told by SPIRITS to present Cheryl with THAT rose

X Factor hopeful Ben Quinlan has revealed that spirits above told him to present Cheryl Fernandi-Versini with a green rose.

The Kerry star got people talking when he charmed the ex-Girls Aloud star – and became the only Irish contestant to go through to the next stage of the competition.

And Ben said: “The green rose thing came to me like a flash of inspiration or an apparition.”

Charmed: Ben presented Cheryl with a green rose during audition | ITV

The 19-year-old – who revealed that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s in June this year – used his Irish charm to woo the judges and Cheryl in particular.

“I connected with Cheryl because when I was at school I was having a hard time. I was depressed, school was never for me,” he said.

“At the same time she was going through her marriage split and was having a bad time too.”

Judges: All the X Factor stars | ITV

And Ben said he was initially left him stunned when producers called him to the London auditions.

He told the Star: “I still didn’t know if I’d meet Cheryl and the judges when I went over because I was told I would have to audition with the producers again.”

However, this isn’t Ben’s first time trying to launch his career in music. He previously made a bid to launch his career in London which left him broke.

He added: “I was trying to get my name out there but it didn’t work.”