Susan Boyle, the singing sensation from Bathgate who took the world by storm in 2009, is gearing up for her busiest year in a long time as she plans her comeback following a serious illness three years ago.
In an exclusive interview for What’s on Scotland, the 63-year-old told Laura Boyd: “I’m back alright. I’m feeling OK and ready to go.
“I had a major stroke and I’ve had to fight my way back. It’s taken me three years and it’s been hard – I’m not going to pretend otherwise but it’s made me determined to keep going.”
Showing off that cheeky sense of humour that Susan has become famous for, she joked: “Ye cannae keep an old ‘wummin’ doon, you know!”
And you certainly can’t.
Susan returned to singing lessons as soon as she felt strong enough following her stroke, determined to get her voice back to that pure, beautiful tone that so many fell in love with when she first took to the Britain’s Got Talent stage back in 2009.
Now she’s ready to return to work, and while insisting she will still take care of herself, watch what she eats, and aim to get back to full fitness, Susan can’t wait for all that 2025 holds.
“There’s a documentary and I’ve got a drama coming up. Hopefully, a tour – my feet won’t touch the ground, really,” she said.
Speaking of the drama that’s in the pipeline, Susan admitted there’s one woman she would love to see step into her shoes.
“I don’t know who’s going to play me. I’d like Olivia Coleman to play me. She’s a laugh as well and she seems like a happy kind of person.”
Susan herself is happy to have landed a cameo in a new Rupert Everett movie due for release next year, proudly explaining, “I’m singing the song for it, too.”
It’s lovely to see the star looking and sounding so well after what must have been an incredibly difficult period for her.
But Susan is used to handling life-changing moments. Her life was completely turned on its head after her Britain’s Got Talent audition of “I Dreamed a Dream” catapulted her to global stardom.
Recalling that period, she said: “It was overnight because one minute I was watching it with my brother, and the next, there were these screaming kids at the door. I opened the door, and they were asking for my autograph.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind because you never think you’re going to get anywhere, and then all of a sudden, bang!”
With so much in the pipeline, after all that, will Susan decide to step out of the limelight and just enjoy life? “See how I feel,” she said. “I want to keep going for as long as I can. My bucket list is overflowing.”
One of those things on her bucket list is to sing with Josh Groban. And knowing Susan’s appeal, I’m sure that’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
Before all that, Susan is looking forward to a quiet Christmas, watching Elf – her favourite – and spending time with those closest to her.
“It is about being with people you love, and that matters more than anything.”
