Queen of the castle

Scots singing sensation Susan Boyle talks about life in and out of the spotlight ahead of her show at Glamis.

Like every other teenage girl in the early 1970s, a young West Lothian lass called Susan Boyle enjoyed nothing more than putting her Donny Osmond records on repeat while singing and dancing with a hairbrush in front of the mirror.

Unlike the others, this youngster possessed a voice that would make her a legend and open doors she could only dream of. No one who watched Britain’s Got Talent on the evening of April 11 2009 could forget the dumpy, frizzyhaired, self-confessed “wee wifey” who walked on to the stage to a backdrop of titters and sniggers from the audience – and then opened her mouth and began to sing. The pitch-perfect notes of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables soared to the rafters as jaws dropped to the ground.

Judge Amanda Holden described it as “the biggest wake-up call ever” and within hours the performance had racked up 300 million views on YouTube.

SuBo, as she would later be dubbed, was ultimately pipped to the post by dance group Diversity at the end of that series but there was still no doubt about it – a star had been born.

“I’ve always said that before BGT, I was like an outsider looking in,” says Susan softly. “Life was quiet, I looked after my mother until she died. Money was exceptionally tight, I used to fret as to how I was going to pay for gas and electric. I lived hand to mouth. I was happy and I had wonderful friends and family but I just knew that there was something missing in my life.

“I promised my mother I would make something of my life before she died. My inspiration for going on the show was to try to change my life for the better – and also meet Piers Morgan.”

Appearing on BGT took a physical and emotional toll on Susan. The day after the live final she was admitted to The Priory rehabilitation clinic to recuperate.

“To be honest, while I was pleased I had got so far in the show, I was devastated that it was over – I thought that was it and I would have to go home and go back and try to find something else to do,” she admits. “Never did I expect to have the career I have had over the past eight years.”

Her debut album, released in November 2009, became the UK’s biggest seller and Elaine Paige, one of Susan’s idols, called her “a role model for everyone who has a dream”.

She has since realised her own dream of singing a duet with Elaine – once in 2009 and then in 2015 at the Glamis Prom. “Elaine is a fabulous singer and a real pro,” she says. Susan will be back at Glamis Prom by popular demand next Saturday and is eager to get out in front of her fans against the stunning setting

My inspiration for going on the show was to try to change my life for the better – and also to meet Piers Morgan

of the Angus castle. “I can’t wait to perform at Glamis again,” says Susan.

“I had such a wonderful time last time and the Scottish weather held out – it was a glorious, sunny day. The castle was absolutely stunning and, well, you can’t beat a Scottish audience.

“I don’t know how to put it into words but when they start cheering or applauding it’s electrifying. I think it’s incredibly special having your