X Factor bosses are said to be incredibly worried about Cher Lloyd, after staff revealed that she eats very little.

The 17 year old singer has been denying reports of an eating disorder ever since she shot to fame on the ITV show. In an interview with OK magazine she insisted:

“I eat everything, I really do. Crisps, chocolate, I’m eating all the time.”

Cher added: “I just have a fast metabolism.”

“I love Nando’s. The chips are quite nice!”

However show bosses don’t seem to believe her and an insider told The People:

“Cher has been very picky with her food and the rest of the finalists have been ­worried about her. There’s been ­immense pressure on her.

“Bosses are worried all the criticism could really be taking its toll on her health. She says she eats – but she’s so tiny she doesn’t need much before she’s full.

“The strain will take a toll on her body. And because of her size, she physically can’t handle it as well as some of the others.”

Vocal coaches are said to have warned the teenage rapper that she is in danger of developing vocal cord nodules. The condition can be caused by tiredness, stress and excessive practice. A source said:

“It’s been one thing after another for Cher. Bosses are just worried about how she’s dealing with it.

“She was so run down and poorly from rehearsing hard. That’s why she ended up with tonsillitis at the judges’ houses round.

“Now she’s been told she’s at risk of permanent throat damage. Nodules is a condition singers fear. It can be caused by straining the throat.

“On top of that, she’s still battling the Gamu backlash and her family’s dirty laundry becoming public knowledge.

“Anyone would need a way to cope. Bosses are concerned that she eats enough to keep her strength up.”