SOUL ON STAGEFRIGHT AND MEN I’ve dropped 2 12 st and feel ready for love. But I’m not sure if I’ll ever sing live again
SUNDAY MIRROR 25% OFF Susan Boyle, A Wonderful World
misery was compounded when her sister Bridie McCaw, 73, died last October. Susan’s condition means her behaviour is unpredictable and a hint of stress can cause a meltdown – making live shows a huge risk and potentially very difficult for her to deal with. This year, a series of high-profile episodes included one at Heathrow, where she was escorted from the BA lounge by police. She said: “It’s like being on a rollercoaster. You’ve got me on a good day but I’m always up and down. With guidance, I can stay on a level. I have breathing exercises I can do. Losing Bridie has been very hard. She encouraged me in all I did and came to my shows. She’d be very happy I have a new album. I just remind myself she is in a beautiful place now, not in pain and she’s watching over me.” Susan, a devout Catholic who still attends Mass at her local church in Blackburn, West Lothian, also says her faith has helped her through her ordeal.
She added: “It’s made me realise nothing is impossible. It can be downright difficult, but not impossible.”
Happily, she healed her two-year rift with Gerry, 62, in the summer. The pair fell out over claims Gerry threatened to commit suicide if Susan didn’t give him £50,000 – allegations he strongly denies.
But the family was said to be heartbroken when Susan claimed her late dad Patrick, who died aged 81 in 1997, was violent to her as a child. Although she refuses to say whether or not the claims were false, Susan insists her dad was a “fantastic person”.
She added: “I overdid it. I said some things I shouldn’t have and I’d like to apologise to my dad. He was a great guy, very kind, strict but fair, and a lovely person. He kept the family together and he loved a sing-song. My love of singing is hereditary.”
Susan is happiest at home in the former council house where she grew up, beside neighbours who look out for her. She’s even made friends with old classmates who bullied her at school for her then undiagnosed condition, cruelly branding her “Simple Susie”. She said: “I have great neighbours. They change my lightbulbs and everything because I can’t do that. I walk two miles every day, to Tesco and back. That has helped me lose weight. People who bullied me have matured now. Some are good friends.” Susan spent the summer recording her se v enth studio album in G l a s g ow. It includes a virtual duet with Nat King Cole on When I Fa l l in Love – plus covers SUBO has returned with her seventh album A Wonderful World – and we’re giving Sunday Mirror readers 25 per cent off when they order a CD.
It features spectacular renditions of classic hits including Madonna’s Like A Prayer, Robbie Williams’ Angels and Paul McCartney’s Mull of Kintyre. And there’s a magical virtual duet with Nat King Cole on When I Fall In Love, making the album the ultimate Christmas gift.
To get 25 per cent off the album simply visit susanboylesundaymirror.com and enter the code SUSANBOYLESM at the checkout stage to get the discount.
Postage and packaging costs are included and you will not be required to pay any additional fees. The original price of the album is £10 but with our offer it will cost just £7.50. You will need to register for an account on the site before placing your order.
You have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, to redeem this offer. Please allow up to 14 days for delivery of the album. This offer is available to UK residents only. of Robbie Williams’ hit Angels and the Abba classic I Have A Dream.
She hasn’t spoken to her former mentor Simon Cowell for four years but still thinks he is a “great guy”. And just days ago she signed a new deal with Cowell’s SyCo label.
She said: “Simon probably has had a look at the playlist but I don’t know what his involvement is – I only sing.”
Susan is also in talks to turn her life story into a film next year. Meryl Streep has been tipped to play her but Susan says she’d prefer Brit actress Julie Walters.
While she plans a low-key Christmas with her brother John and his family, her thoughts will be on Bridie and other bereaved people.
And Susan tries to provide comfort in the best way she can – by singing.
She added: “I sing a track on my album called May You Never Be Alone. I hope it is comforting to them.”