Brave SuBo refuses to let teenage yobs drag her down
SUSAn Boyle has opened her heart over her torment at the hands of gangs of teenage yobs who have thrown stones and burning paper at her.
But the Britain’s got Talent star is adamant she will not be hounded from her beloved ex-council home despite several terrifying attacks.
She sent a defiant message to the yobs in a newspaper interview, saying: ‘I love my house, it’s where I grew up. Why would I move out because of teenagers who behave like that? They are bullies who shout and throw things, but my home is where I feel safe.
‘I love my neighbours, they look out for me and make sure I am oK. It’s where I grew up with my mum and dad and it has memories. Why should I move because of a group of daft laddies?’
Miss Boyle, also known as SuBo, shot to fame in 2009 with her operatic rendition of I Dreamed A Dream in the ITV show, but is notoriously shy.
Despite raking in a fortune of around £26million, the 56-yearold still lives in the £65,000 house where she and her eight older siblings grew up in Blackburn, West lothian.
She has sometimes struggled to cope with fame and since she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome – a form of autism – in 2012 she has performed less frequently, and last sang live in the summer of 2015.
But even though she has kept a low profile, gangs of teenagers between ten and 15-strong – mainly boys – are making her life a misery with a prolonged campaign of intimidation.
‘They have been shouting at me, taunting, saying vile things, swearing,’ she told The Scottish Mail on Sunday.
A few days ago, teens crowded around her as she walked to the shops, shouting and calling her names and throwing stones and burning paper.
She admits breaking down behind her front door after escaping her latest ordeal, but has so far decided not to involve police. She said: ‘There should be zero tolerance with regards to bullying but I wanted to give these kiddies the opportunity to think about their behaviour and come to their own realisation that this is not on.
‘If it continues I will have to speak to the police and ensure something is done but I’m all about giving people a chance to see right from wrong. That doesn’t mean I’m a pushover.’
She has been the subject of similar taunts from previous generations, saying: ‘But they have grown up, become fathers themselves and calmed down.
‘When they grow up they have apologised to me. They realise what they have done is wrong. I hope and expect the same will happen this time.’
Miss Boyle refuses to retreat to a new, more secure house. The last time she did – to a £300,000, five-bedroom detached property – it was too large for her solitary lifestyle, so she returned to the family home.
This has placed her back at the mercy of her tormenters but she says their anti-social behaviour is driven as much by boredom as ignorance.
She said: ‘There are few activities for young people around here. They are about to shut a youth club. This will mean there is nowhere for them to go.’
Meanwhile, Miss Boyle is due to perform five songs at a music spectacular at glamis Castle on July 15. She has bought a new dress for the occasion to fit her newly trim 10st figure, having lost two stones.
She said: ‘I feel slimmer and so much happier. I’m in a good place despite the past few weeks. I will not let young, silly boys affect my happiness.’
‘The bullies shout and throw things’