X FACTOR star Diana Vickers, who missed Saturday’s live show due to a throat infection, is feeling “a lot better”, according to family.

The ITV1 talent show’s Harley Street doctor said Diana risked permanently damaging her vocal cords if she sang on Saturday night.

Diana’s dad Eddie Vickers revealed she would have sung Always Be My Baby as part of the Mariah Carey-themed week if she had been fit enough to perform.

The 17-year-old Westholme pupil from Accrington was taken ill last week and missed to opportunity to meet and sing with Mariah, one of her heroes.

Her close friend on the show Laura White, from Bolton, was booted off by the judges.

Mr Vickers said: “It was a bit of a shock on Saturday night with Laura going out.

"I think the show missed Diana on Saturday. It was a bit flat without her.

"Diana is a lot better but she can’t sing.

"She has had two or three days of rest with her voice on the advice of doctors.

“I want her better regardless. She’s our daughter and you feel for them when they are ill anyway.

“We are hoping she is all right. She has six days to recover.

“We just want her to get better so she can continue.”

Diana was allowed to miss this week’s show but must recover for next week to keep her place.