Susan Boyle

Amateur vocalist Susan Boyle became an overnight sensation after appearing on the first round of 2009's popular U.K.

reality show Britain's Got Talent.

Boyle, who was born in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland in 1961, caught the judges (and the world) off guard with her masterful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Misérables, due in part to the unemployed and undeniably plain church volunteer's "salt of the earth" demeanor and country spinster back-story.

Boyle attempted a singing career in 1999, recording a handful of demos that showcased her rich and expressive voice, but chose to look after her aging mother instead of pursue the dream full-time.

Within hours of her appearance on Britain's Got Talent, Boyle was not only an Internet sensation, she was a worldwide phenomenon.

Her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, was released in 2009 and reached number one on both the US and UK charts, setting a record in her homeland for first week sales.

~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide

Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle is no longer scared of fame but admits it took her a while to come to terms with it.

(BANG) -

Susan Boyle is no longer scared of fame.

The 'Wild Horses' singer - who shot to fame last April after performing 'Les Miserables' song 'I Dreamed A Dream' on UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent' - admits she initially struggled to come to terms with her celebrity status but now embraces it.

The 48-year-old spinster told US TV show 'CBS Sunday Morning': "I was like a scared child before, but I'm not the scared person I used to be. I had to learn how to deal with a lot of publicity, and the glare of attention. And that takes a bit to get used to. But I got there in the end!"

Following her performance on the final of 'Britain's Got Talent' - in which she finished runner-up - Susan was admitted to The Priory in London, where she was treated for exhaustion.

However, she recovered and her debut album 'I Dreamed A Dream' was a huge smash on both sides of the Atlantic and Susan admits she is stunned by her phenomenal success.

When asked if she still pinched herself, she squeezed her arm and said: "Yeah, certainly yes! I can vouch for it! I've just done it!

"I think I'm entertaining people. I'm inspiring a lot of people... people have written to me about how much I have inspired them, and I like to keep on doing that for as long as it lasts."

'Wild Horses' singer Susan Boyle was startled when she returned home to Scotland to find an intruder in her home yesterday (26.01.10).

(BANG) -

Susan Boyle was startled to find an intruder in her home yesterday (26.01.10).

The man was on the stairs as Susan returned to her modest house in West Lothian, Scotland, and upon being discovered turned and ran past the scared music star.

The 'I Dreamed A Dream' star had only just arrived back home after a day in the recording studio, laying down vocals for Simon Cowell's charity single to aid the victims of the recent earthquakes in Haiti.

A friend told The Sun newspaper: "Susan got home to find an intruder halfway up her stairs. She was with another female, who was dropping her off, and only expected to be with her for a couple of minutes - but it is just as well she was.

"Susan is unharmed but is obviously very, very shocked. The guy has seen her come in and bolted out straight past Susan."

Police were called and the Lothian and Borders force confirmed a man was being held last night.

The multi-million selling singer - who lives alone - is now worried she may have to quit her home over safety fears.

Local police previously fitted the property with a panic alarm after Susan spotted two strangers peering through a window last year.

Meanwhile, Susan has spoke of her "honour" at being able to contribute to Simon's charity single, a cover of REM's 'Everybody Hurts'.

The 48-year-old singer said: ""It is just awful what is happening in Haiti. I've seen some of it on the TV and it's so sad.

"To be asked to do this with all these talented singers is just great, it's such an honour. It would be lovely to meet Rod Stewart, being a fellow Scot."

Other stars appearing on the record include Robbie Williams, Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis and Kylie Minogue.

'Wild Horses' singer Susan Boyle stunned passengers at London's Heathrow airport with a string of bizarre actions, including grabbing a mop and using it as a makeshift microphone.

(BANG) -

Susan Boyle stunned passengers at London's Heathrow airport with a string of bizarre actions.

The 'Wild Horses' singer - who was hospitalised last year for exhaustion amid concern over her mental state - was asked to calm down by officials in the VIP lounge after grabbing a mop from a cleaner, which she then used as a makeshift microphone before trying to polish fellow guests' shoes.

When airline officials intervened, the 48-year-old singer fled the room shouting: "I've escaped, I've escaped."

A source told The Sun newspaper: "It was chaos. Susan was very restless and agitated from the minute she walked in and immediately started making a scene.

"She was singing and dancing around, shouting obscenities at full volume."

The Scottish singer - who shot to fame after appearing on UK TV talent show 'Britain's Got Talent' - was eventually calmed down by a member of airport staff, who sat with her until she boarded her flight to Chicago.

A spokesperson for British Airways said: "A customer in the BA lounge on Tuesday (12.01.10) was asked to temper their behaviour as it was becoming disruptive."

Susan was flying to the US to be a guest on Oprah Winfrey's talk show.