Despite only reaching the semi-final of the 2008 The X Factor show - which was won by Alexandra Burke - Diana Vickers made a big impact on the show resulting in her acclaimed performances as the multi-faceted singer in the London West End musical The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice and she won a Theatre Goers Choice Award as Newcomer of the Year. Vickers also hit Number 1 with both her debut single Once and her first album Songs From The Tainted Tree in 2009. She grew up in the village of Huncoat, near Accrington and started singing when she was 11, taking lessons and entering local competitions. In 2008 she entered The X Factor aged 17, making it through all the audition stages to be mentored by Cheryl Cole (who was also mentoring Alexandra Burke). Favoured as the competition winner, Vickers was unexpectedly voted out at the semi-final stage. However, she threw herself into her first album and although her second single The Boy Who Murdered Love in 2010 was less successful than its predecessor, Vickers had already proved her versatility and star appeal.