FORMER X Factor star Diana Vickers and ex-Coronation Street actress Wendi Peters have been praised for their performances in a new play in North London.

Hatched ‘n’ Dispatched, at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, tells the story of the Needham family following the burial of Uncle Arthur and the christening of baby Clifford in a double booking at the church.

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Ms Vickers, the Huncoat singer-songwriter and actress, plays Susan in the black comedy, which held its Press night on Wednesday.

In a review of the performance, drama critic Jonathan Baz said: “Diana Vickers is a treat as Irene’s young daughter Susan. Sexy, blonde and quite possibly pregnant — unplanned and by a black guy, and remember this is a racially troubled Britain in the 1950s — she combines just the right combination of ditzy with compassionate love for her mother. Vickers’ is another perfectly weighted performance.”

Ms Peters, of Blackburn, also stars — and according to critic Michael Coveney, her performance was memorable.

He said: “There are pleasures to be had, notably from a leather-lunged Wendi Peters as the straight-talking materfamilias who holds the ring at a gathering of the clans after a double-booking at the church for a christening and a funeral.”

Tom Wicker, of The Stage, said: “Ex-Corrie star Wendi Peters has a ball as Dorothy-Mavis: deliciously malevolent as she circles her hapless relatives like a shark.”

Miss Vickers was interviewed on Lorraine yesterday morning when she talked about her career. She said: “I always wanted to act and it feels so right. I am so lucky that I get to wake up every morning and do what I love to do.

“I love my acting. It is a difficult career and I want to give everything. The opening Press night for Hatched ‘n’ Dispatched was fantastic and I am doing The Rocky Horror Show later in the year which is exciting.

“The fact I am able to break the tag I was given on The X Factor is great. I work hard and I play hard.”