Show must go on as Susan Boyle prepares for city concert

Published on Tuesday 16 June 2009 09:49

SUSAN Boyle is determined not to disappoint her local fans tonight, despite her touring schedule leaving her exhausted.

Organisers say they are confident she is fit to perform at the Edinburgh Playhouse as part of the Britain's Got Talent live tour. The West Lothian singer was advised to pull out of two concerts in Manchester on Sunday, and returned to London for a rest.

But she performed in Glasgow last night, alongside the other nine BGT finalists and last year's winner, George Sampson and was given a standing ovation.

Her brother Gerry said the 48-year-old church volunteer was back to her usual self and "loving every minute" of the tour. She has been ringing round family members to ensure they are in the audience tonight.

Gerry, 54, from Musselburgh, said: "She sounds fine and happy. She's like a kid in a sweetie shop. She's really looking forward to singing in her home territory.

"She was very keen to get back to performing. It's just about pacing it and giving her a rest when she needs it.

"This is what she always wanted to do. She loves entertaining the public. She is very keen to get on with her recording career afterwards.

"She'll be ringing round the family, seeing who can make it tonight. I'm sure there'll be quite a few there."

Susan apologised to fans after pulling out of a matinee and evening performance at the Manchester MEN Arena. She had performed to a standing ovation in Sheffield the previous night.

She spent five days recovering at a psychiatric clinic after the show's final, and remains under the care of doctors.

A spokeswoman for Susan said she was keen to complete the 21-date tour.

She said: "Susan was just having a rest day. I'm sure she'll be back on in Edinburgh."

But many of Susan's friends and neighbours in Blackburn missed out on tickets for the sold-out performance tonight.

Jackie Russell, who runs the Happy Valley Hotel in Blackburn, where Susan was a regular performer, said: "I think a lot of people were disappointed. Everybody wanted to go and see her, but I think it's fully booked now. It was very hard to get tickets.

"I'm worried it's all getting a little too much for Susan. People don't realise she's just a local girl from an ex-mining village, who's been thrust into the limelight.

"I'm not surprised she's exhausted – it's been exhausting for us with all the attention we've had.

"I'm sure Susan will be back in to sing here, but it could be a long time. I've got about 500 cards and letters to give her – everyone has been giving them to me!"