[Tom]

X Factor was at the centre of a favouritism row last night after Alexandra Burke sang despite being ILL.

Alex, 20, has laryngitis - the same agonising throat condition that Diana Vickers was fighting a fortnight ago.

But while favourite Diana, 17, was ruled too sick to perform and given a "bye" - automatic entry to the next round - Alex was told she had to go on with last night's show.

Astonishingly it is being claimed that after Alex was diagnosed she was told to "keep it quiet" by production staff on the ITV1 show.

Close family friend Peter Brophy revealed how Alex was told not to make a fuss over her illness by the show's bosses.

Accusing The X Factor of favouritism, Peter said: "Alex has got the same illness as Diana but she has been told not to tell anyone.

"Alex was told to keep it under wraps that she was ill. They didn't give her a valid reason.

Source