Diana Vickers has come a long way since X Factor and tells Simone O’Kane about her new album and stage role

DIANA Vickers is starting a new chapter in her life. 

Her talents have taken her far, far away from the Huncoat base she left in 2008 to audition for a show that would change her life.

She has gone from being a young bare-footed singer to a confident six-inch-heel-wearing pop superstar.

And this time around it’s clear that Diana is taking the fact she’s in demand entirely in her stride.

The singer-songwriter and actress is preparing for her role in a West End production at the same time as promoting her second album, Music to Make Boys Cry – something that Diana thinks is her record producers’ worst nightmare.

“It is a great opportunity to go to the West End again and my acting means the world to me. It was really annoying because my album has come out at the same time as the show. I am probably my record company’s worst nightmare,” said Diana who is playing the role of Holly, in political comedy The Duck House.

“I am loving everything that is happening around me at the moment and there’s always lots of exciting opportunities. Releasing an album and not being on tour has been quite random. I am sure everyone thinks I should be on tour,” said Diana who is starring alongside Ben Miller on stage.

It’s the second time that Diana has appeared in London’s West End following her lead role in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in 2009.

“The girl I play in The Duck House is a bit of a character and hilarious, It’s a political comedy about the expenses scandal. Everybody was traumatised by the way politicians were spending their money, but now they can laugh about it,” she said.

And Diana’s second album, which was completely written by herself, doesn’t exactly do what it says on the tin.

“The album title is named after the second single and I really love the song. It’s about girls who want to dress up and be in the spotlight and be the centre of attention. As for me, I just want to be out of the limelight, writing songs.

“I love melancholic chords. I love it when my voice has got a sadness to it in a way and I love it when it’s a pop song and you want to dance but it kind of hits a nerve. But I don’t think it makes boys cry,” laughed Diana.

The former X Factor contestant says that co-writing the Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez single Mouth 2 Mouth was “a great moment”.

“One of my songs was given to Enrique and JLo, and that was really cool. But I’ve never actually worked with another artist – but that would be great to do in the future.

“Recently, I haven’t really had time to write, but when the West End production starts I will probably have some free days to get back in the studio and write. I really enjoy that and it’s something that I really connect to.”

In 2010, the 22-year-old made history after becoming the first East Lancashire solo artist to have a number one hit with her single Once from her debut album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree, and Simon Cowell hailed it as “fantastic”.

Diana toured twice with her first album, which was a sell-out – although she has said her debut was rushed, as she only had one year to write it.

This time around she’s had two-and-a-half years to write and record Music to Make Boys Cry while, among other things, working on her DeeV retro fashion label.

And it’s obvious that fashion is an area of great interest to Diana by just looking at the cover of her new album – on it, the 5ft 7in, size 8 blonde wears a sexy red suit that’s a little revealing.

“I love that look. I am all about women in suits – I love seeing women in suits.

“Eventually, I’d love to get into fashion again. I’ve already worked with online brand Very, which was cool, and if the right thing came up at the right time, I’d definitely get stuck in.”

Next year, Diana will appear on our screens in comedy Give Out Girls having recently finished filming for Sky.

But away from her busy life Diana said she likes to spend time with her family and mum Ann, who regularly travels to London to see the star and her sister, Charlotte, with whom she lives.

“My mum comes down a lot to see us and I still miss her potato pie when she’s not around. At the weekend I like to spend time with my boyfriend and watching films with my friends.”

Diana has plans to tour with her new album, which has been signed by So Records, next year.

“When we played the album to So Records they realised that I sound so different and that I’ve grown.

“The freedom that I get now and the input that I can have is a massive thing and it’s really showing in the music I write.

“I plan to release a third single and hopefully go on tour next year. This is a new chapter for me and this time around I am older and, I feel, wiser.”