Singing spinster becomes surprise YouTube hit
AFP
LONDON - A frumpy 47-year-old Scottish charity worker who has never had a boyfriend has become an unlikely YouTube sensation, after her stunning weekend musical debut on a British television talent show.
By Wednesday the clip of Susan Boyle -- whose dowdy appearance drew sniggers when she walked on stage on ITV's "Britain's Got Talent", saying she dreamed of emulating West End star Elaine Page -- had been viewed 5.7 million times.
"Without a doubt that was the biggest surprise I have had in three years of this show," said judge Piers Morgan, admitting that before her performance "everyone was laughing at you."
"No-one is laughing now. That was stunning."
Boyle, from West Lothian, who says she has never been on a date or been kissed, now is the favourite to win the show -- drawing comparisons with Paul Potts, an opera-singing mobile phone salesman who won in 2007.
Potts went on to have number-one albums in 15 countries.
Boyle's performance can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY.
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