IF FAN sites are anything to go by, then Diana Vickers is the dead cert to win X Factor this year.

Diana, 17, from Accrington, has more than 97,000 fans signed up to groups on social networking website Facebook – more than double her nearest competitor.

Her dedicated fan page had 81,025 yesterday with another 12,397 in a group called ‘Diana Vickers to win X Factor 2008’, as well as dozens of smaller fan groups.

Laura White from Bolton is the second highest ranked singer in the competition with more than 41,000 fan group member.

Other competitors have as few as 2,138 fans signed up to their groups.

Bookies have already made the Westholme School sixth-former 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, odds on her to win were slashed from 5/1 to 11/4.

Bookies have placed former favourite Laura in the second spot with odds of 7/2 and Alexandra Burke third with odds of 11/2.

Diana’s dad Eddie Vickers said: “I didn’t realise there were so many people signed up as her fans. It’s absolutely brilliant.

“I’m very, very proud.

Mum Ann said: “How good is that? It’s incredible. We’ve just got to see what happens this weekend.”

The singers will perform a disco song this week, and it is thought Diana will sing a Blondie track.