Diana Vickers is back - on stage and caught up in a murder

AS she tours the country in a new adaption of the classic thriller Dial M for Murder, Diana Vickers is just glad to be able to get out in front of audiences again after Covid effectively shut theatres for over 18 months.

“I’ve totally missed it,” said the East Lancashire born star who will be appearing close to home at the Lowry, Salford Quays.

“The last thing I did was the Entertainer with Shane Richie a couple of years ago so it just feels really wonderful after all this time and all that uncertainty to be back in front of a live audience.”

 

Diana Vickers and Tom Chambers in Dial M for Murder

 

Diana stars alongside Tom Chambers, who first came to prominence in Holby City, won Strictly Come Dancing in 2008 and subsequently went on to star in a number of West End productions.

Dial M for Murder was one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most memorable movies starring Grace Kelly although the production is based on the original play written by Frederick Knott.

“I’m a massive Hitchcock fan and I love thrillers,” said Diana, who plays Margot, wife of Tony (Tom Chambers) a former tennis pro who discovers she has been unfaithful and out for revenge pursues the ‘perfect crime’.

“I’d seen the play before and I’d watched the film many times,” said Diana, who took over the role of Margot from Sally Bretton who started with the tour pre-lockdown but was committed to filming a new series of Not Going Out.

“It was no brainer really to take on the role,” said Diana. “I knew the director and got on with him really well and now I’m extremely glad I took on this job. The whole team is like a great family and we work really well together.

“Audiences just love it. It’s not really a whodunnit but a how dunnit and people get really invested in it.

 

Diana Vickers in Dial M for Murder

 

“It’s really nice hearing the audiences’ reactions every night. You have to listen carefully to the plot as there is a lot going on and it’s very rewarding when you realise people are listening so carefully and getting excited when things are revealed. It’s great fun.”

Since appearing on X Factor in 2008 - Diana reached the semi-finals of the show won that year by Alexandra Burke - the Accrington-born star has been massively successful having had both a number one single and album and appearing in the West End and on film. She has also had her own fashion range.

But like many of us she found lockdown hard.

“I thrive off being busy,” she said, “so it was quite difficult to stop and unwind. But I did some songs with my best friend Chiara Hunter. We did some parody songs about Covid which went viral and that encouraged us to write more.”

Those songs have spawned a podcast, Ki and D, which attracted more than two million followers and a full series is due to come out next year.

“The comedy came out of the insanity of lockdown,” she said. “We have got week of live shows at the Turbine Theatre in London next month which will be super fun so you could say good things came out of lockdown although there were very dark moment especially during the winter time.”

As Diana mentioned, she is also involved in writing for TV - a project she’s keeping tight lipped about - but, for the moment, music which first brought her to the public’s attention is on the back burner.

“I am currently writing something for TV which has music in it but as for releasing more music I don’t know. I never say never so let’s just see.”

Now living in London, Diana still looks forward to her trips back home to see friends and family.

“It can be difficult when you are touring,” she said, “but coming to the Lowry next week means I’ll be able to see everybody and I’m planning on coming back again for Christmas.”

Dial M for Murder, The Lowry, Salford Quays, Monday, November 15 to Saturday, November 20. Details from www.thelowry.com

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