X Factor hunk Ethan Boroian has become an internet sensation since making his debut on the show - with more than a quarter of a million views on YouTube in just a matter of hours.

The 19-year-old student bowled over the judges when he appeared on the show on Saturday night with his voice, charisma and looks.

Now Boroian, who is studying at Royal Holloway University in Surrey, is proving to be a huge online hit. By this afternoon, Boroian's performance in which he covered Kings Of Leon hit Use Somebody had been seen more than 254,00 times.

He has also been championed by US gossip blogger Perez Hilton who featured his performance and declared: "We have a new crush!"

"Not only can he sing, but he's sooooo dreamy. Like, soooooo dreamy dreamy dreamy," Hilton added.

Chicago-born Boroian, who began playing the guitar at 13, proved to be a huge hit with the judging panel.

"Wow, that was really impressive and you're actually really sweet - you seem really quite humble and that was a good audition," said judge Cheryl Cole.

Her smitten colleague Dannii Minogue said: "A little superstar. We need another slice of that."

Louis Walsh declared: "We want someone to come in who's modern, of today, understated, good looking and talented. The girls are going to love you. you're going to go far."

Simon Cowell was keen to establish that the music wannabe - who used to have a teenage band called Jona's Basement back home in the US - was a genuine UK entrant.

"Are you living over here? So this is your home now?" he asked.

After his performance he told his fans online that he had never bothered to try out for the TV talent show American Idol back home.

"To be honest, pretty scared of it, waaaaay too many people," he said. "Besides X Factor is so much better."