DIANA Vickers' dad says she has been coping well with life away from East Lancashire.

This week Diana was spotted enjoying a slap-up meal in London with her boyfriend Chris Jones, from Blackburn.

But her dad has quashed rumours that Chris is helping Diana with any homesickness.

Eddie Vickers said: “He’s definitely not down in London all the time.

"He’s a student at Manchester University. He’s just taken a day off to go and see her.

“She has her good days and bad days where she is a little homesick, but considering she’s been there for six weeks now, I think she’s coping very well.”

Diana is the bookies' favourite to win the ITV contest - and a £1million recording contract with Simon Cowell's label Sony BMG.

Tonight the finalists will sing Mariah Carey hits before being joined on stage by the US diva.

Mr Vickers said: “Diana quite likes her and has performed some of her songs in other competitions in the past.”