Susan Boyle Read Online Free PDF Page B

was a rogue element that made life difficult for her, and they were certainly learning to look at her in a very different way. ‘People used to shout things at her in the street, but they have all changed their tune now,’ said Vicky McLean, one of Susan’s neighbours. ‘I ran into her the other day on the way to the shops and she said she knew who her real friends were - the people who liked her before the show. She knows that a lot of the people calling round now are not being genuine.’
    Vicky was not alone in feeling some concern, but although people’s fears were to prove well grounded, plenty of well-wishers were keen to point out that Susan had had a difficult life to date and that this, no matter what problems might come in its wake, was a way to a happier life. Catherine Hunter, a neighbour who has known Susan since childhood, was one of them. ‘It had been Susan’s dream to try out for Britain’s Got Talent ,’ she told the Daily Express . ‘She used to watch it with her mum Bridget, whom she lived with and cared for until she died two years ago at the age of ninety-one.
    ‘They used to watch the show and her mum encouraged her to go on it. But after she died Susan stopped singing and became very depressed. This has really helped her confidence. Her mother and father, who died some time ago, would be proud. We all are. Last Saturday night the whole street turned out to wish her well after the programme ended. All the doors opened and everyone piled out shouting congratulations to her.’
    Another lifelong friend, Elain Clarke, was more concerned. ‘Susan is shy around people she doesn’t know until she sings - and then she loves an audience, ’ she said. ‘She is well known in the village for her beautiful voice and sings regularly at the pub. She sings all the time, and when she has the windows open we can hear her all over the street. When we have barbecues in the summer she goes from garden to garden singing. She’s safe here in this village but she needs to be properly managed with all this success. I hope she’s looked after.’ It was a concern that was to raise its head again and again.
    While some people around Susan might not have been genuine, the excitement surrounding her was palpable. The clip of her audition on YouTube was getting millions of hits, as the story of this slightly dowdy woman with the extraordinary voice spread across the world. Susan continued to protest that she wouldn’t change her appearance, or indeed anything else, and that it was her singing that was important. Amanda Holden joined in, urging Susan not to change. Everyone had a view on some aspect of Susan’s life and everyone wanted to contribute to the debate. But the juggernaut that had roared into action was now going too fast for Susan, or anyone else, to control.

    Since her first appearance, it had been established that her father was a soldier and that she was one of nine children, who were all thrilled for their sister, if a little concerned that her success might get out of hand.
    Her brother John said, ‘The reaction Susan is getting is just amazing. She is long overdue this recognition. ’ And it was thrilling, not least because Susan herself was so totally overwhelmed by what was happening. The title of the song she sang to get her into her current position couldn’t have been more apposite. She’d dreamed a dream, all right - and now it seemed that dream was coming true.
    In interviews, Susan had very publicly made it known that she was a virgin, and now men were letting it be known that they’d be happy to do something about this if she so wished. ‘I’m flattered and delighted by the attention,’ said Susan, wisely leaving it at that.
    It was now that the term ‘Hairy Angel’ was coined, a description that Susan was none too keen on and which might have played a part in persuading her to get a makeover. The YouTube footage of her interview continued to astound: within five days of the