Last Updated: 08 Dec 2008

Diana's in trouble

Out of nowhere she's become the hot favourite to win The X factor, but has 17-year-old Diana Vickers put her possible victory at risk?

There was disappointment from both her mentor Cheryl Cole and Diana's fans when she couldn't perform on last Saturday's show due to nasty case of laryngitis.

Doctors told the young singer that if she risked using her voice on the live show she could cause her vocal chords long-term damage.

So The X Factor officials made the unprecedented move to allow Diana to sit out of last week's Mariah Carey themed show without any penalty.

However, reports are now emerging that the teenager was spotted three days earlier, on Bonfire night, screaming and shouting at the top of her lungs with the other contestants.

Laura White, also mentored by Cheryl Cole was sensationally voted off the show the night Diana was given a 'bye' by the producers. Cheryl was in shock as were many fans, 18,000 of whom have signed a petition asking for Laura to be reinstated to the show.

And with the reports of Diana's screaming and dancing a few nights before the show, internet forums are now awash with conspiracy theories that Diana has been shown special treatment. We wonder what mentor Cheryl will have to say about it all... what do you think, was the right decision to allow Diana time off for illness?