'I need four injections per day': X Factor's Amelia Lily reveals battle against diabetes
By Holly Thomas
Last updated at 2:06 AM on 20th November 2011
X Factor favourite Amelia Lily has revealed that she is battling diabetes.
She has said that her condition is serious, and that there is a possibility that she could go blind if her blood sugar is too high.
The 17-year-old has described how she has to adjust her insulin levels before performing to counterbalance the effects of the adrenaline rush when she is on stage.
Secret struggle: Amelia Lily has revealed that she is battling diabetes, and there is a risk that she could go blind
'I need four injections a day and I’ve had it for 14 years now,' Amelia told the Daily Star, adding: 'I used to have fits when I was younger.'
'Adrenalin uses a lot of energy, so I need to decrease my insulin before I perform. It’s hard to get the balance right but I always decrease my insulin just before performing to be safe,' Amelia revealed.
'There’s still a risk that something could happen on stage but I can tell if I’m shaking or need chocolate.'
Long term: Amelia has had the condition since she was three, and is used to having four injections per day
The teen is clearly focused on taking care of herself, as she continued: 'My family look out for me as well. It’s been drilled in my head to be careful'
'I’m feeling the pressure now because I’ve gone from not being in the show any more to being the favourite to win.'
Amelia admitted that the prospect of returning to the X Factor had been daunting, but emphasised that she was glad she had done so.
Soldiering on: Amelia dazzled on the X Factor live show tonight with Aretha Franklin's 'Think' from Bridget Jones' Diary
She confessed: 'It’s hard to handle, there’s a lot of stress and pressure.'
Amelia was also quick to defend her mentor's decision to send her home after the first live show, saying: 'I said to Kelly that she put me through to the live shows in the first place so I knew that.'
'We just wanted to clear the air so we could move on.'
Takes care of herself: Amelia is used to looking out for symptoms of her condition
Amelia also chatted to The People about her diabetes, saying: 'High blood sugars are more dangerous. There can be fits. I used to have fits when I was younger.'
She said that her symptoms are manageable, explaining: 'The thing about diabetes is that you just have to be a healthy person with a healthy diet.'
On the departure of her rumoured love interest Frankie Cocozza, she divulged: 'He was a friend and a housemate. We got on together really well and he is in a better place, he’s a good lad.'
Winning them over: The judges were impressed with Amelia's efforts this week, and the teen is now a favourite to win
'But we are like brother and sister. We would laugh at the thought of being a couple.'
Amelia dazzled on the X Factor live show tonight with Aretha Franklin's 'Think' from Bridget Jones' Diary.
Gary said he thought it was performed an octave too high for her range and that she rushed in parts, but all in all the judges loved the performance
Happy to be there: Though Amelia admitted that returning to the X Factor was a daunting prospect, she is very grateful for the second chance
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