'X Factor' star Diana Vickers has said that she is upset at claims that she cheated to progress on the show.
Tabloid reports claimed that the 17-year-old singer pretended to be sick in order to get a free-pass in one week of the show.
Vickers sang last week but missed the previous Saturday night show due to an illness. Her friend Laura White was voted out on the night she was absent.
However, Diana has denied the claims, telling New! magazine: "It was the hardest thing ever and so upsetting."
"On the Saturday morning, I had a meeting with the producers and said, ‘If it means I’ll have to go, I will gladly get on that stage'."
"I was desperate to sing, so would never have pretended I was poorly."
The singer also denied reports that she has struck up a romantic relationship with fellow contestant Eoghan.
Diana said: "There's nothing going on."
