# Diana Vickers
**Diana Vickers** is an English singer and actress from [Blackburn](https://www.edgepedia.org/blackburn), Lancashire, England, who came to prominence as a contestant on the fifth series of the ITV talent show *The X Factor* in 2008 and later built a career in pop music, musical theater, and screen acting.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991, Blackburn, Lancashire, England[1](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers) |
| *The X Factor* 2008 | Fifth series, Girls category mentored by Cheryl Cole; eliminated in the semi-final, finishing fourth[1](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers) • [2](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2008/1006/414823-xfactor/) |
| Debut single | "Once" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 2010, spending 1 week at number 1 and 11 weeks on the chart[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/) |
| Debut album | *Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree* debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart (May 2010)[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/) |
| Second album | *Music to Make Boys Cry* (2013), peaked at number 37 on the UK Albums Chart[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/) |
| Theatre | LV (Little Voice) in *The Rise and Fall of Little Voice* at Nimax Theatres; later *The Rocky Horror Show*, *Duck House*, and *Son of a Preacher Man*[4](https://www.conwayvangeldergrant.com/actors/diana-vickers/) |
| Recent stage work | *I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical*; *Coven* at the Kiln Theatre, playing Covell and Edmund Robinson[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/diana-vickers-coven-witches-pretty-boys-b1260409.html) |
## The X Factor
Vickers auditioned for the fifth series of *The X Factor* in 2008, singing "The Blower's Daughter" by [Damien Rice](https://www.edgepedia.org/damien-rice), after which judge [Louis Walsh](https://www.edgepedia.org/louis-walsh) described her as resembling a "little hippie"[1](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers). She was selected for the live shows in the Girls category alongside [Alexandra Burke](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexandra-burke) and Laura White, mentored by Cheryl Cole[1](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers) • [2](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2008/1006/414823-xfactor/). She was 16 when the live shows began, and in a Guardian interview she recalled that a producer had nearly rejected her at the audition stage, unable to decide "if your voice is really odd or really good"[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/mar/30/diana-vickers-tainted-cherry-tree).
Her soft, husky, almost hiccupy voice and claw-like hand movements set her apart from other contestants that year[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/mar/30/diana-vickers-tainted-cherry-tree). Judge [Simon Cowell](https://www.edgepedia.org/simon-cowell) compared her singing voice to Marmite, saying people would either love it or hate it[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography). In one live week she was given a bye from the competition because of acute laryngitis, which forced her off the show for a broadcast[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography) • [8](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/nov/10/x-factor-diana-vickers). She had been widely tipped to win, but was voted out in the semi-final, finishing fourth behind Eoghan Quigg, JLS, and winner Alexandra Burke[1](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers) • [6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/mar/30/diana-vickers-tainted-cherry-tree).
## Music career
After the show, Vickers signed with RCA rather than the Syco deal she had initially been associated with, and spent more than a year recording her debut album[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography). She worked with a range of collaborators, including [Ellie Goulding](https://www.edgepedia.org/ellie-goulding), Guy Sigsworth, Starsmith, Chris Braide, and Devonté Hynes of Lightspeed Champion[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography) • [9](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/diana-vickers-1.656186).
**The debut album.** Her first single, "Once", written by [Cathy Dennis](https://www.edgepedia.org/cathy-dennis) and Eg White, was released in April 2010 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/) • [7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography). The album *Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree*, released on RCA in May 2010, debuted at number one on the [UK Albums Chart](https://www.edgepedia.org/uk-albums-chart), making her a chart-topping artist in both formats within weeks[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/). Follow-up singles included "The Boy Who Murdered Love" (peak 36) and "My Wicked Heart" (peak 13)[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/). Reviews noted the mix of styles: the Irish Times called it a blend of pop and indie that worked in her favor, while NME criticized the production for burying her distinctive voice under vocoders and genre-hopping arrangements[9](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/diana-vickers-1.656186) • [10](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-diana-vickers-11288-309873).
**The second album.** After a period without releases, Vickers settled on an electro-pop sound for *Music to Make Boys Cry*, released in 2013 on So Recordings[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography). She wrote and recorded it with Donkeyboy producer Simen Eriksrud, Simone Larsen, and former [Scritti Politti](https://www.edgepedia.org/scritti-politti) member David Gamson[11](https://www.muumuse.com/2013/09/diana-vickers-music-to-make-boys-cry-album-review.html/). The lead single "Cinderella" peaked at number 76 on the UK chart, and the album itself peaked at number 37[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/). She supported [Olly Murs](https://www.edgepedia.org/olly-murs) on sold-out UK summer shows and appeared at [V Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/v-festival) in support of the album[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography).
## Theatre and acting
Vickers moved into theater in 2009, taking the title role of LV in the West End revival of *The Rise and Fall of Little Voice* at Nimax Theatres, directed by Terry Johnson, and won the London Newcomer award at the Theatregoers' Choice Awards for the performance[4](https://www.conwayvangeldergrant.com/actors/diana-vickers/) • [12](https://popfromtheblock.blogspot.com/2010/05/track-by-track-review-songs-from.html). Her agent's credits list subsequent stage work including the ATG tour of *The Rocky Horror Show*, *Duck House* (as Holly), *Son of a Preacher Man* directed by Craig Revel-Horwood, and *Big The Musical* at the Theatre Royal Plymouth and Bord Gais Energy Dublin[4](https://www.conwayvangeldergrant.com/actors/diana-vickers/).
Her screen work includes the lead role of Kim in Bruce MacDonald's independent film *The Perfect Wave*, the lead role of Gemma in the television series *Give Out Girls*, Christine in *Top Coppers* (Rough Cut Television/[BBC Three](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-three)), and Lauren in the film *Awaiting*[4](https://www.conwayvangeldergrant.com/actors/diana-vickers/) • [1](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers).
**Recent stage and music work.** In the mid-2020s Vickers gained strong notices starring in *I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical*, playing the Hollywood star in a courtroom musical about Paltrow's ski crash case[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/diana-vickers-coven-witches-pretty-boys-b1260409.html) • [13](https://www.itv.com/watch/news/diana-vickers-plays-gwyneth-paltrow-in-i-wish-you-well-the-musical/0n8w8jf). She then appeared in *Coven* at the Kiln Theatre, a musical about the [Pendle witch trials](https://www.edgepedia.org/pendle-witches) directed by Miranda Cromwell, playing multiple male roles including the guard Covell and the boy Edmund Robinson[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/diana-vickers-coven-witches-pretty-boys-b1260409.html). She grew up near Pendle and told the Standard that visiting [Pendle Hill](https://www.edgepedia.org/pendle-hill) with her father made the material personal to her[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/diana-vickers-coven-witches-pretty-boys-b1260409.html). In 2025 she also released the single "Pretty Boys" and began creating comedy as part of the duo Ki & Dee with Chiara Hunter, alongside podcasting with Jack Guinness on *Just Between Us*[5](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/diana-vickers-coven-witches-pretty-boys-b1260409.html).
## Chart record
The [Official Charts Company](https://www.edgepedia.org/official-charts-company) lists her singles totals as one UK number 1, one top 10, three top 40 entries, and 17 weeks in the top 75; her albums likewise show one number 1, two top 40 entries, and 15 weeks in the top 75[3](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/). She also appeared on the 2008 Christmas number one single "Hero" with her *X Factor* co-finalists[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography).
## References
1. [Diana Vickers, The X-Factor Wiki (Fandom)](https://xfactor.fandom.com/wiki/Diana_Vickers)
2. [X Factor judges choose final 12 acts, RTÉ Entertainment (2008)](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2008/1006/414823-xfactor/)
3. [Diana Vickers, full Official Chart history, Official Charts Company](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6208/diana-vickers/)
4. [Diana Vickers CV, Conway Van Gelder Grant](https://www.conwayvangeldergrant.com/actors/diana-vickers/)
5. [Diana Vickers on witches, toxic exes and why 'women finally have a voice', The Standard (2025)](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/diana-vickers-coven-witches-pretty-boys-b1260409.html)
6. [Diana Vickers: 'Have fun with me!', The Guardian (2010)](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/mar/30/diana-vickers-tainted-cherry-tree)
7. [Diana Vickers Biography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/diana-vickers-mn0002445941/biography)
8. [Do The X Factor judges have a crush on Diana?, The Guardian (2008)](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/nov/10/x-factor-diana-vickers)
9. [Diana Vickers: Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree review, The Irish Times (2010)](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/diana-vickers-1.656186)
10. [Album Review: Diana Vickers – Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree (Sony), NME (2010)](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-diana-vickers-11288-309873)
11. [Diana Vickers: Music To Make Boys Cry (Album Review), MuuMuse (2013)](https://www.muumuse.com/2013/09/diana-vickers-music-to-make-boys-cry-album-review.html/)
12. [A track by track review: Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, POP from the Block](https://popfromtheblock.blogspot.com/2010/05/track-by-track-review-songs-from.html)
13. [Diana Vickers plays Gwyneth Paltrow in I Wish You Well the musical, ITV News](https://www.itv.com/watch/news/diana-vickers-plays-gwyneth-paltrow-in-i-wish-you-well-the-musical/0n8w8jf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Pop and R&B singer-songwriters › Pop singers, 2000s to present › Mainstream pop singers, 2000s–2010s › Surnames R to Y*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license