Susan Boyle’s return to the Britain’s Get Talent final was typically uneventful, with Boyle revealing that she suffered a ‘minor’ stroke in 2022.
But what the singer, 62, was too humble to mention on Sunday night was that she actually made a miraculous recovery after suffering a full-blown stroke that left her speech “almost unintelligible.”
Boyle had to learn to speak clearly again and also had to receive intensive singing coaching in order to sing.
She worked almost constantly on both for over a year, after she suffered significant muscle weakness, a downcast face, and slurred speech on one side.
Sources indicate that she had appeared in perfect health on the eve of the stroke last April.
Her PA Geraldine said good night to her as usual at the ex-town hall in Blackburn West Lothian, where she has always lived.
Susan Boyle’s return to the Britain’s Get Talent final was typically low-key, with Boyle revealing she suffered a ‘minor’ stroke in 2022
But when he returned the next morning, it was clear that the singer, while alone, had been hit.
The source said: ‘The PA came by to see her that morning, they often go for breakfast together, but as soon as she saw Susan she realized they had to go straight to the hospital.
She could walk, but her face was downcast and she spoke with a double tongue. She could talk, but it was hard to understand what she was saying.”
It was feared that the stroke could mean Boyle, who has sold about 25 million albums in her career, may never sing again.
“All she ever wanted to do was sing and she was convinced at that point that her career was over. She was devastated, deeply upset and also sick.
“She hired a private speech therapist when the crisis was over and she was out of the hospital.
Since then she sees him a few times a week, doing her homework in between and also going to see her regular singing coach.
“She worked really hard to get to the point where she could perform last night, although we’re not quite back to where she was before the stroke.”
Because she’s had a stroke, she’s at an increased risk of having another one, which means her management team has to be very careful about meeting her commitments.
What the singer, 62, was too humble to mention on Sunday night was that she actually made a miraculous recovery after suffering a full-blown stroke that left her speech “almost unintelligible.” Above: The star during her first audition on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009
Boyle had to learn to speak clearly again and also had to receive intensive singing coaching in order to sing. Above: The star in 2019
There are hopes she will do a concert tour – her last was in March 2020, just before the lockdown – although it will most likely be more sporadic in nature and probably not until 2024.
“She’s happiest on stage and eager to get out but is being advised by a small team that has nothing to do with her health,” I’ve been told.
“But Susan is a very positive and cheerful person and sees a way back to performing.”
On Sunday, Boyle took the stage to sing I Dreamed A Dream, the smash hit from Les Mis, her 2009 audition piece.
Presenter Declan Donnelly asked her: ‘How does it feel to be back on Britain’s Got Talent?’
Boyle smiled and said, ‘It feels great! It’s actually extra special for me because I had a mild stroke there last April and I thought it would be awesome to get back on the podium and I did it!”
Ant then said, “Did you do that?” We’re sorry to hear that, you are very brave! Simon, great to see her back on stage, isn’t it?’
And Simon replied, “Unbelievable, Susan, we owe you so much and I knew you weren’t well, but if someone came back, you’d come back because we wouldn’t be the same without you!” You are great.’
Dec added, “It’s great to see you and it’s great to have you back home!”
In 2009, she made it to the finals of the show, narrowly missing out on the grand prize of dance troupe Diversity.
Her latest public appearances were tied to her 2019 album Ten, which reached No. 1 in the UK and Australia and No. 49 in America.
Susan Boyle performed on Britain’s Got Talent last night with Welsh singer Lucie Jones
Susan Boyle is seen at her home in Blackburn, Scotland. Her latest public appearances were tied to her 2019 album Ten, which reached No. 1 in the UK and Australia and No. 49 in America.
Susan Boyle sings I Dreamed A Dream at her first Britain’s Got Talent audition in 2009
Her long-standing manager and close friend Andy Stephens came out of retirement for that album, which was also one of the last releases on the Syco record label which was defunct by Simon Cowell in September 2020.
Sony retains the label’s back catalog.
When she rose to fame, Boyle explained that she was known as “Simple Susan” and had been told she was “brain-damaged.”
However, in 2013, she shared that she has an above average IQ, but also has Asperger syndrome.
However known as Autism Spectrum Disorder it can lead to problems related to others socially and repetitive or rigid thoughts and behaviors.
More recently, she was diagnosed with diabetes and had to shelter during the pandemic.
Her life story is one of extraordinary, belated success. Her debut studio album I Dreamed a Dream was the best-selling debut album of all time in the UK and she is said to have made £5 million in her first year as a celebrity. She has released a total of eight albums.
She was the youngest of four brothers and five sisters of miner Patrick Boyle and typist Bridget, and grew up in Blackburn.
She told interviewers that she had been bullied as a child. She always loved to sing and went to drama school and sang in church.
In 1995 she appeared in Michael Barrymore’s My Kind of People.
In 1998, she paid to record a demo at a local recording studio which she sent to record labels and local radio stations.
Her audition for Britain’s Got Talent caused a sensation and was seen by more than 120 million people within days.
Commentators hailed it as a win for talent in an industry generally obsessed with looks.
She also moved many people with her honesty and the story of her success that came late in life.
She said, “I know what they were thinking, but why should it matter if I can only sing. It’s not a beauty pageant.’
After the final, she was briefly admitted to the Priory because she felt “exhausted and emotionally drained.”
She came forward to join the BGT tour. There has been a memoir and several TV specials. In 2012 there was a stage musical that told her life story.
In 2009 she made it to the finals of the show, where she narrowly missed out on the main prize of dance group Diversity.
Susan Boyle can be seen in the ITV show Loose Women in 2020. Her debut studio album I Dreamed a Dream was the best-selling debut album of all time in the UK.
She lives in the four-bedroom ex-council house where she grew up, which she bought in 2010.
She bought another house in the same village known as ‘the big house’ but never settled there.
She also bought the house next door with the intention of turning it into one, but never did and was going to rent it out.
Most days her PA comes to spend the day with her. Since Boyle doesn’t drive, she has to be taken to the shops, dentist and hairdresser.
She also has a housekeeper who comes four times a week and cooks for her.
A friend said, ‘About 90 percent of the time she lives as if she were an ordinary Scottish spinster. The other 10 percent she loves to sing and lives to perform.
“She has a completely innocent take on it — she doesn’t care about money or charts, but loves to perform.
“It’s an interesting story with Susan because she’s famous, but it’s always been on her own terms.”