X Factor's Diana Vickers to star in stage show about Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial

Yep, you read that right!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 9th May 2024

Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial appeared to capture the imaginations of pretty much everyone on the Internet last year - so it's no surprise that the events are being used as the basis for a new stage show!

Diana Vickers, of X Factor fame, announced on Instagram that she'll be performing as the "character" of Gwyneth in a play entitled I Wish You Well - named for Gwyn's parting words to her courtroom nemesis, Terry Sanderson.

Taking to her social media page, Diana wrote: 'Its going to be iconic. Thank you gwynethpaltrow for bringing us the moment we never knew we needed. So excited to be working with the most power house team!' (sic)

Fans were in absolute awe - not only that Diana would be starring as Gwyneth, but that the play exists in the first place - with many taking to the comments section to share their excitement over the news.

One wrote: 'ARE YOU KIDDING? This will be the cultural highlight of 2024,' as another added: 'I had to check my calendar to make sure this wasn’t an April fools 😂,' and one other person commented: 'Is this really real? Because I will go to every performance!'

Diana will star in the show at the Edinburgh Fringe from Saturday 3rd to Monday 26th August, with choreography from Strictly Come Dancing legend Dame Arlene Phillips.

Scroll through to see how many X Factor winners you can remember:

2004: Steve Brookstein - 'Against All Odds' (Over 25s)

Steve Brookstein's winning single debuted at Number 2 in the UK charts behind Band Aid 20's 'Do They Know It's Christmas', the following week it went to Number 1.

2005: Shayne Ward - 'That's My Goal' (16–24s)

Shayne Ward was the second winner of the competition and released an original song - whereas most winners released the covers. 'That's My Goal' became the fastest-selling song of 2005!

2006: Leona Lewis - 'A Moment Like This' (16–24s)

According to reports, 1 million copies of the single were pre-ordered by stores and it was downloaded 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online! It reached Number 1 in both the UK singles and download charts.

2007: Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe' (Boys)

The single was another successful winners' single getting to Number 1 in the UK and becoming a Christmas Number 1.

2008: Alexandra Burke - 'Hallelujah' (Girls)

Alexandra's 'Hallelujah' became a Christmas Number 1 for the fifth X Factor winner.

2009: Joe McElderry - 'The Climb' (Boys)

After winning the competition, Joe McElderry's version of 'The Climb' went to Number 1 in the UK. The song was a cover of the Miley Cyrus song which was also released in the same year and featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie.

2010: Matt Cardle - 'When We Collide' (Boys)

Matt Cardle won the seventh series of The X Factor and released his cover of 'When We Collide' (original title - 'Many of Horror'). The song reached Number 1 in the UK and became the second bestselling single of 2010.

2011: Little Mix - 'Cannonball' (Groups)

They might be releasing Number 1 songs here, there and everywhere, but back in 2011 Little Mix won The X Factor and released 'Cannonball'. Unlike past winner's singles, the song wasn't released during the week of the popular Christmas Number 1 battle. The song debuted at Number 1 becoming the fastest-selling single of the year.

2012: James Arthur - 'Impossible' (Boys)

James Arthur's cover of 'Impossible' was released immediately after he won the ninth series of The X Factor. The single became the fastest-selling winning single from The X Factor!

2013: Sam Bailey - 'Skyscraper' (Over 25s)

'Skyscraper', originally sung by Demi Lovato was released by 2013's X Factor winner, Sam Bailey. The song became a Christmas Number 1 with all proceeds from the single going to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives.

2014: Ben Haenow - 'Something I Need' (Over 25s)

Once again The X Factor winner hit the top spot for Christmas in 2014.

2015: Louisa Johnson - 'Forever Young' (Girls)

Louisa Johnson released her version of 'Forever Young' however, unlike many of the previous winners' singles it didn't make the top spot, only reaching Number 9 in the UK.

2016: Matt Terry - 'When Christmas Comes Around' (Boys)

Written by none-other than Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, 'When Christmas Comes Around' was The X Factor's second ever original song to be released as the winner's single. It debuted at Number 3 in the UK.

2017: Rak-Su - 'Dimelo' (Groups)

'Dimelo' was yet another original single to be released as an X Factor winners' single. It reached Number 2 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.

2018: Dalton Harris featuring James Arthur - 'The Power of Love'


Diana shot to fame on The X Factor in 2008 at the age of just 17-years-old, being mentored by Cheryl in the Girls category and coming fourth overall, in the same year as Alexandra Burke, JLS and former flame Eoghan Quigg.

She released two albums following her TV stint - 'Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree' in 2008 and 'Music to Make Boys Cry' in 2013, but it's her stage career that has particularly taken off, as she's performed in the titular role in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice as well as a tour of Dial M for Murder and a London production of Steel Magnolias.

We cannot wait to see this play!

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