EAST Lancashire's Diana Vickers has become the bookies’ favourite to win ITV’s The X Factor after Simon Cowell said she was the one to beat.

Following her show-stopping performance on of Michael Jackson hit Man In The Mirror on Saturday’s show, odds on her to win were slashed from 5/1 to 11/4.

Bookies have placed former favourite Laura White in their second spot with odds of 7/2 and Alexandra Burke as third favourite with punters nationally, offering odds of 11/2.

The girls’ phenomenal success with voters has also led their mentor Cheryl Cole to become outright favourite for bets on X Factor’s winning manager.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said last night: “We took a lot of money for Diana on Saturday and she more than justified the faith shown by punters.”

Diana, who attends Westholme School in Blackburn and lives in Accrington, was complimented by all four judges, with Cheryl saying it was the best she had heard her sing.