X Factor star Diana Vickers has denied claims that she is having an affair with fellow contestant Eoghan Quigg.

Diana, 17, is going out with Manchester University student Chris Jones and says she is simply close friends with the young Irish singer.

'Committed'

Lancashire student Diana, who won through at the Old Trafford auditions, said: "I am totally committed to Chris." Still the bookmakers' favourite, she reached the final five at the weekend - and seems certain to be given a record deal, whether she wins or not. Take That star Gary Barlow had earlier told Diana: "If Simon Cowell ever doesn't sign you, I would sign you tomorrow and I'm going to leave you my number."

Laryngitis

But after she sang the group's classic hit Patience, X Factor supremo Simon told Diana: "I absolutely adore you," and pointed to the huge global success of last year's winner Leona Lewis. "We will not be accepting Gary Barlow's kind offer for a recording contract. Leona has done fine with me, thank you Gary," added Simon. Having recovered from laryngitis, Diana jumped for joy on stage at the end of her performance.

"I'm so happy and I'm so pleased that I'm here," she said. "I feel like I'm in the best dream ever and I just don't want to wake up. I've had a taste of what life could be like for me and it's amazing. This is what I want now." Boyfriend Chris was in the studio audience and said: "I'm not threatened by her friendship with Eoghan and I'll support her all the way."

Row

A row between judges Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh over song choices left Dannii in tears on the live show and unable to introduce her act Rachel Hylton, who was later eliminated from the competition. Also in the studio was Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz. She said she was backing the girl from the north west: "Diana to win 100 per cent."

Simon arranged a surprise for Manchester United fan Eoghan, 16, with the delivery of their Premiership trophy to The X Factor house in London. The X Factor again won the Saturday night ratings battle. The main show was watched by an average 10.6m viewers, rising to a peak of 12.2m. Strictly Come Dancing attracted an average 10.2m viewers, with a peak of 11.7m.