Birthday girl: Susan's has much to celebrate.
Susan Boyle celebrates her 49th birthday this week with a cheque for £4million and the purchase of a mansion. The spinster from Blackburn has come a long way in 12 months.
A year ago, Susan was living in her council house with her cat Pebbles and dreaming of stardom.
Since then her life has changed beyond recognition.
Clips of her have been viewed on YouTube more than 347million times.
She’s been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and dueted with her idol Elaine Paige.
She’s become nervous about her security and a man was arrested for breaking into her house.
SUSAN’S ASTONISHING RISE
- Her second album could break more records
- Another YouTube sensation says she’s mince
- Krankies offend singer’s family
- Amanda Holden has to namedrop Subo
The paparazzi have become a regular sight camped outside her very ordinary West Lothian home.
A friend told The Sun: “The house she's in now is impossible to keep secure. This new place could be better. It has lovely views and huge rooms. She likes it and has made an offer."
Just after coming second in Britain’s Got Talent, it all got too much for churchgoing woman and she suffered “exhaustion” leading to a spell in the Priory Clinic.
National concern ran high and Prime Minister Gordon Brown even sent his best wishes.
Perhaps the greatest measure of her power has been the number of well-known people who have criticised her and poked fun. Sharon Osbourne, Lily Allen, and Adam Lambert all made headlines with alleged criticism of Susan.
She has shown up on South Park and The Simpson.
Her album I Dreamed A Dream was number one all over the world.
What will the next year hold for Scotland’s most unlikely singing superstar?
There are rumours that she is planning to design and sell her own tartan and use it for a clothing range.
Aides say her brand will have a “chic tartan image”.
As well a new house, Susan is said to be in the process of buying her existing home from the council. It is thought she might let Pebbles stay there with her popping in regularly.
