He has become accustomed to candidates flirting with him during the X Factor auditions.

However, one of the auditionees went too far and kissed Simon Cowell on the lips, shocking him.

Cowell appeared perplexed when 39-year-old Paula from Staffordshire stepped around the judges’ desk and kissed the music mogul.

Dressed in a blue vest top and denim shorts, Paula puckered up to Cowell after her performance at the Manchester auditions.

She sang Joan Jett’s I Love Rock And Roll, wriggling her bottom in front of the judges’ desk while she sang, and the panel probed her about her hobbies.

She said, ‘Simon. He’s a really handsome man. He is truly exceptional.

She then approached him to express her gratitude, much to the delight of the crowd and fellow judges Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.

After recovering from the kiss, Simon told her, ‘You’re probably brilliant at many things, but not singing.’

The scenes will be presented on ITV2’s The Xtra Factor tonight at 8.45 p.m., immediately following the main program.

Paula is just one of many auditionees at the Manchester auditions, which will air on ITV tonight as part of an X Factor double bill from 7.30 to 8.45pm and again on Sunday from 7.45 to 9pm.