X Factor legend lands surprise job playing Hollywood superstar as she teams up with ex Strictly judge 16 years later
X FACTOR legend Diana Vickers has landed a surprise job playing Gwyneth Paltrow in a new musical.
2008 semi-finalist Diana, 32, has teamed up with former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, 80, for I Wish You Well – a dramatisation of the Hollywood superstar’s ski trial last year.
It was highly-publicised at the time that Gwyneth won a lawsuit brought against her by a doctor who claimed she had caused him lifelong injuries following a ski crash.
The Sliding Doors star was awarded a symbolic $1 after eight days of testimony as part of a countersuit to an action brought by optometrist Terry Sanderson.
Optometrist Terry, 73, had sued her for $300,000 while alleging that a collision on the Park City, Utah, slopes gave him broken ribs and brain injuries in 2016.
As she left the courtroom, Gwyneth was seen to whisper “I wish you well” to Dr Sanderson as she passed him.
The trial will now be brought to life on stage at the Norwich Theatre and Underbelly Edinburgh from July, with Arlene choreographing.
An advert posted to Instagram yesterday reads: “Academy Award winner, bone-broth drinker and devastating downhill skier Gwyneth Paltrow has arrived in a snoozy Utah courtroom ready to defend her legacy.
“This four-hander tells the (mostly) true story of the campest celebrity trial in history: Gwyneth vs Terry.
“Packed full of iconic moments, the questions about Taylor Swift, and the now famous whisper of ‘I Wish You Well’ – this is a fast-paced parody that sounds as good as Gwyneth’s candles smell.
“Throw in some jade eggs and future classics such as ‘Do You Know Taylor?’ and ‘I’m Gwynnocent’, and you have yourself a hilarious musical bursting with heart.”
In the comments, fans went wild – with Laura Whitmore raving: “I can’t wait to see this! X.”
Someone else wrote: “OB-sessed,” while a third added: “Haha that looks amazing Diana!! X.”
Diana was best known for coming fourth on the fifth series of The X Factor where she was mentored by Girls Aloud star Cheryl.
During the show, she also dated one of her fellow contestants, Northern Irish singer Eoghan Quigg, who just beat her to final.
Both contestants eventually lost out to Alexandra Burke who won the show as JLS became the runners up.
After the series came to an end, she went onto have a huge career, as she bagged the lead role in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice in the West End.
Other stage show credits have included the comedy play The Duck House, and the Rocky Horror Show UK tour.
She later bagged the lead role in Son Of A Preacher Man in 2017, the production inspired by the Dusty Springfield song of the same name.
Diana also starred alongside EastEnders star Shane Richie in the 2019 tour production of The Entertainer.
In terms of acting on camera, she appeared in the indie movie The Perfect Wave in 2014 with Clint Eastwood‘s son.
After appearing in the surfing flick, she also also starred in the Sky sitcom called Give Out Girls.
But of course she also focused on her music, having released two albums, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree in 2010, and Music To Make Boys Cry in 2013.
The lead single Once shot straight to number one and has since been certified silver, having sold over 200,000 units.
Fans often remark how different Diana looks these days as she has previously taken to social media with sizzling images.
She previously posed on a Cape Town beach in two different bikinis, one green and one black.
