A deaf table tennis player has proved he has the X Factor after being backed by Simon Cowell.

James Meyers’ dreams of competing in his favourite sport against some of the best players in the world at the Deaflympics Summer Games were almost crushed after his funding fell through at the last moment.

But luckily the X Factor judged stepped in to help, making a donation to enable the teenager to travel with Team GB to the international games for deaf people in Taipei, Taiwan.

Simon said: “I’m delighted to have helped James and I hope he does well.”

James, 17, a pupil at Ovingdean Hall School, had been training hard for the competition, which starts on September 5, but was devastated when UK Sport pulled the team’s funding at the last minute.

However the school community rushed to help him find almost £2,800 in just six days.

Along with the donation from Simon, Ovingdean Hall’s catering team also organised a show with Elvis impersonator Alvin Printwhistle.

James said: “When I watch the X Factor I look at Simon Cowell and think ‘that man helped me to get to the Deaflympics’.

“He is a good man. I have never met him before but he helped me.”

James only started playing table tennis two years ago when he joined the school.

However he showed a natural talent for the game and began training with Hollingbury Table Tennis Club.

Wesley Bush-Harris, from the club, who works for the English Table Tennis Association, provided the teenager with private coaching at the school.

James has also started playing for Sussex Junior League and trains in his home town of Orpington, in Kent.

He said: “I am excited about the aeroplane, Taipei and the hotel but I am very nervous about the other players. But it is nervous in a good way.”

Chris Ifill, the school’s catering manager, said: “We are so proud of James getting on to Team GB. We are delighted that the proceeds from the event will help him to fulfil his dream of getting there.”