Vickers 'didn't know about Faithful, Piaf'

Diana Vickers has admitted that she had not heard of some iconic female singers before taking on the title role of Little Voice on the London stage.

The former X Factor contestant will appear in the West End production of Jim Cartwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice alongside Lesley Sharp and Marc Warren from tomorrow.

Vickers told The Times: "When I started, I didn't know who Marianne Faithful was, or Edith Piaf. I've always loved Dusty Springfield though."

Regarding her impressions of these and other artists for the play, she added to The Daily Telegraph: "I'm still learning every single day. I'm watching them on YouTube, I've got The Wizard of Oz on repeat.

"I've got the base for all of them and it's just about having to fit it all together. The team behind me have taught me little tricks of the trade."