Vickers: 'Lorenzo is like big sister'

Diana Vickers has claimed that fellow X Factor singer Ruth Lorenzo is a "big sister" figure for her.

Vickers and Lorenzo finished fourth and fifth respectively in the 2008 series of the ITV1 talent show. The 'Once' popstar claimed that she was still in touch with her co-star, as well as series five runners-up JLS.

"I made great friends at that time; Ruth Lorenzo, who is now working as a singer, has become a very important person in my life," Vickers told the Daily Mail. "She's 27 and acts like a big sister.

"Then there’s JLS, who are like brothers to me; they're all attractive boys but I couldn't imagine anything more ever happening. My friends are huge fans and keep asking to meet them, but I’m terrified that someone’s heart would get broken, so I’m steering well clear of matchmaking."

Speaking about her time on the reality show, Vickers also revealed that she had found it hard not to stare at Simon Cowell when she was performing.

"It was edited out of the programme, but Cheryl [Cole] kept asking me, 'Why are you looking at Simon the whole time?'" she said. "But I couldn't stop myself, because he's very charismatic, so in the end I just shut my eyes."