Susan Boyle has spoken candidly about the “whirlwind” that was ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent 2009 finale. The 58-year-old singer admitted she was in “panic” after coming runner-up to Ashley Banjo’s dance troop Diversity. But said Simon Cowell, 59, calmed her nerves when he rushed up on stage and whispered something sweet in her ear. Recounting the moment Diversity was announced as the winner, she said: “Honestly, panic, I didn’t want to go back to my old life.
“Then Simon came running up on stage and whispered into my ear that I had a recording contract no matter what and the panic gave way to exhaustion.”
She went on to say she found “huge comfort” in Simon’s words and said she proved coming second is not a bad thing, according to Mirror Online.
“It was all such a whirlwind and well you all know where I went next, something I still don’t like talking about after ten years.
“But Simon’s words were such a huge comfort and he will never know how much that meant to me in that moment.
“That said, the best men won on the night and Diversity were a great group and well, I think I proved that it’s no bad thing to come second!”
Following her stint on Britain’s Got Talent, Susan briefly entered a rehab centre and was later diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2013.
She recently opened up about her diagnosis and mental health after returning to the spotlight to release her new album, TEN.
“It can be difficult to talk about mental health issues, as there is a kind of fear about that,” the songstress told The Sun.
“Years ago there used to be a stigma about it but now there is more knowledge, more expertise, and talking about things makes it a lot easier.”
The Scottish native, who is also known as SuBo, credited the “support and the love” of her community for helping her.
“I can cope with the pressure now. I know how to control myself better,” she stated.
“I don’t get so worked up about things. I got a lot of help and I’m managing a lot more effectively.”
Susan will perform on Britain’s Got Talent tonight ten years after her first audition, with another rendition of I Dreamed A Dream.
Earlier this year, she appeared on the talent show America’s Got Talent: The Champions, but lost out magician Shin Lim.
American-Canadian YouTuber Shin, 27, previously won America’s Got Talent in 2018.
Britain’s Got Talent continues tonight on ITV at 8pm.