DIANA Vickers may have been voted out of X Factor but she is sure to have a bright future ahead of her.

For the past three months, people in East Lancashire have supported the 17-year-old student as she progressed through the hit ITV show.

We have held our breath as she overcame a bad throat infection and a barrage of criticism in the national press to reach the semi-finals of the contest.

It is bitterly disappointing that she will not be in the final and she will not be performing in a homecoming concert in Blackburn this afternoon.

But this is certainly not the last we have heard from Diana, who will now embark on the X Factor tour.

She was undoubtedly one of the show’s biggest talents and it is unlikely that supremo Simon Cowell will let her slip from his grasp without a fight.

Even if he does, there are sure to be plenty of people willing to sign her up.

Take That’s Gary Barlow has already expressed an interest.

Perhaps without the pressure and weight of expectation from winning the show, Diana will go on to enjoy even greater success.

Losing out in the semi-finals may end up being a blessing in disguise.