Dancers pip Susan Boyle at the post

Published on Sunday 31 May 2009 00:33

SEVEN weeks ago she stepped into the limelight as a shy spinster with the dream of emulating Elaine Paige. Last night, Susan Boyle – global celebrity – fell just short of winning Britain's Got Talent 2009, but seemed certain of a brilliant, money-spinning career.

The 48-year-old charity worker from West Lothian cleared all but the last hurdle, beating off competition from ten-year-old singing sensation Holly Steel, Greek father and son spoof dance act Stavros Flatley, and 12-year-old Michael Jackson sing-a-like Shaheen Jafargholi. But, whittled down to the final two acts, the bookies' red-hot favourite was unexpectedly pipped at the post by street-dancing group Diversity.

Boyle, wearing a sparkling floor-length evening gown and with hair newly dyed, belted out an emotional performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misrables, her voice wavering only slightly and with beads of sweat trickling down her cheek. She was greeted with rapturous applause and a standing ovation by Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell, eyes welling as they praised her performance as "outstanding".

As Morgan declared his wish that Boyle win, Cowell too hinted that she had done enough to take the title, saying: "Win or lose, you had the guts to come back here tonight, face your critics – and you beat them."

Yet the prize went ultimately to Diversity, a little-fancied dance troupe from Essex. Third place went to Julian Smith, a 39-year-old solo saxophonist from Birmingham.

Boyle was gracious in defeat, declaring "the best people won" and adding: "They were really entertaining. Lads, I wish you all the best," before giving a playful wiggle of her hips and cheekily pulling up her gown to reveal a bit of thigh.

It was the first time Boyle had broken into a smile, after reports that intense media scrutiny could be harming her psychological state.

First Minister Alex Salmond said after the result that Boyle should "hold her head up high". He said: "She has put her home town of Blackburn, West Lothian, well and truly on the map. Her outstanding performances have catapulted her into a worldwide phenomenon.

"Over the past couple of months, Susan has wowed the judges and the public with her incredible voice and display of supreme talent, and I'm sure she's got what it takes to go on and have a hugely successful musical career if that's what she decides to do.

"Scotland is very proud of Susan's incredible singing."

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy claimed he voted for Boyle in every round of the competition. "Tonight's performance was spectacular and her best yet," he said. "Susan is a brave and brilliant talent. She bounced back and showed that she is a real star. She has proven all the cynics and critics wrong. Susan has gone from our favourite underdog to a world phenomenon in just seven special weeks."

When the final result was announced, it was met with shock in Boyle's home village of Blackburn, near Bathgate, where locals have enthusiastically thrown themselves behind the local heroine, plastering home-made posters and "Good luck Susan" banners across their homes and shops.

Jackie Russell, who runs the karaoke at the Happy Valley pub where Susan sang regularly, said: "We're absolutely devastated. Everyone's jaw dropped. We couldn't believe it.

"I'm not going to take it away from the other act, because they did some good dancing. But they were manufactured and Susan's the real thing.

"But it doesn't change anything. She's still a winner to us. We won't be forgetting Susan overnight. She's done Blackburn proud, she's done West Lothian proud and she's done Scotland proud. We'll be having a party to welcome her back. She'll get a heroine's welcome."

Around 250 more people also crammed into Blackburn's community centre for a big-screen showing of the talent programme. Centre manager Ralph Bell said: "We were disappointed that she lost, but we're still very proud of what she's done. You have to be here to appreciate how much feeling there is for her locally, and we said at the beginning of the night, it doesn't matter what the result is."

Meanwhile, bookmakers avoided a potential seven-figure loss thanks to the surprise defeat of the clear favourite.

William Hill estimated a Boyle victory would have cost the industry around 5 million, while Paddypower estimated 1 million and Coral 100,000.

In the days leading up to the final, fears had been voiced over Boyle's mental state, following claims she was struggling to cope and had threatened to pull out of the contest.

Runner-up – but singer set to rake in 5m

SUSAN Boyle is being tipped to make more than 5 million if she capitalises on the whirlwind of publicity that has surrounded her appearances on Britain's Got Talent.

Now, with the show that made her a household name finished and despite her second place, Boyle is bracing herself for a barrage of lucrative offers.

Piers Morgan, who was forced to issue a public apology for initially treating the Scot with disdain, predicted she would be a huge success.

He said: "Within a year, this woman is going to have a No 1 album. We are going to see a world tour."

A senior Britain's Got Talent insider said it was only a matter of time before the Blackburn church volunteer became a millionaire several times over.

She said: "If she comes up with an album with the kind of songs that suit her and that everybody loves, she will sell millions. In the next year alone she could comfortably make 5 million.

"Paul Potts did that and Susan Boyle is much, much bigger. They love her in America. It is all about Susan Boyle over there."

US record label Menagerie Entertainment has offered Boyle a multi-album deal, which she is believed to have turned down.

As well as being able to take her pick of recording deals, Boyle will also make a six-figure sum from the forthcoming Britain's Got Talent national tour. Personal appearances, product endorsements and DVD sales are also likely to swell her earning potential.

Potts, the singer who won the show in 2007, is believed to have earned 5m-6m.

How can she keep the showing rolling on?

Susan Boyle is today facing up to life after Britain's Got Talent. We asked a panel of experts what advice they would give to the Blackburn songbird and how they rate her future prospects

Tessa Hartmann, style guru and managing director of the TFF Agency.

This is the beginning of a ride of a lifetime for Susan Boyle. She has jumped on the "bus", which has seen her name propelled across the world and it's too late to jump off. Winning or losing last night was irrelevant. She is a hot property and, managed well, could reap the benefits and improve her lifestyle dramatically. She should appoint a personal manager and keep it local. Make the world come to Scotland if they want Susan Boyle.

Sure we can improve the hairdo, apply more flattering make-up but Susan is ordinary and that's why people want a piece of her. Please don't change her too much.

Lee Beattie, independent PR executive

The career of a reality TV star like Susan usually has a short time span because although the immediate fanbase is huge, they generally lose interest in the artist pretty quickly once the cameras are turned off. The people that vote on the show do not necessarily buy records as Michelle McManus, Leon Jackson and the MacDonald Brothers will testify.

I would advise that she stays well away from the Gok Wan makeover route because in reality it is this quality as much as her voice that has stirred the public to vote for her.

Spike Allibone, managing director of media and event firm Night Train Productions.

Susan's whole package is that she is an unlikely media hero. She'll make enough in one month of touring or so to retire on.

Max Clifford, PR guru

Keep her natural for as long as possible is my advice.

She's got the voice. Susan has to make sure that the person people all around the world fell in love with remains the same. People like Susan for her for all of the right reasons because they have become aware of her background and story.

It's a classic rags to riches story - here's someone who has sacrificed everything for her mum and hasn't had much of a life and suddenly this happens. She has the potential to become an even bigger star than Paul Potts (the 2007 winner).