EXCLUSIVE – REVEALED: Susan Boyle suffered massive stroke which left her ‘almost unintelligible’ and unable to sing or speak clearly for a YEAR – as singer stages triumphant comeback at Britain’s Got Talent final
- Boyle had to learn how to speak clearly again and had vocal coaching to sing
- Has been left with muscular weakness, a dropped face and slurred speech
Susan Boyle’s return to the final of Britain’s Get Talent was typically low key, with Boyle revealing that she had suffered a ‘minor’ stroke in 2022.
But what the singer, 62, was too modest to mention on Sunday night was that she has actually made an amazing recovery after a full stroke which left her speech ‘almost unintelligible.’
Boyle had to learn how to speak clearly again and also had to have intensive vocal coaching so that she could sing.
She has spent over a year working almost constantly on both, after being left with significant muscular weakness down one side, a dropped face and slurred speech.
Sources indicate that she had appeared in perfect health on the eve of the stroke last April.
Her PA Geraldine said goodnight to her as normal at the ex-council house in Blackburn West Lothian where she has always lived.
Susan Boyle’s return to the final of Britain’s Get Talent was typically low key, with Boyle revealing that she had suffered a ‘minor’ stroke in 2022
However returning the following morning it was clear that, while alone, the singer had been stricken.
The source said: ‘The PA came over to see her that morning, they often go out for breakfast together but as soon as she saw Susan she realised that they needed to go straight to hospital.
‘She was able to walk but had a dropped face and was slurring her words. She was capable of speech but it was hard to work out what she was saying.’
There were fears that the stroke might mean that Boyle, who has sold around 25 million albums in her career, might never sing again.
‘All she has ever wanted to do is sing and she was at that point convinced that her career was over. She was devastated, very deeply upset as well as being ill.
‘She hired a private speech therapist once the crisis was over and she was out of hospital.
‘Since then she has been seeing him a few times a week plus doing homework in between and also seeing her regular vocal coach.
‘She has worked very hard to get to the point where she could perform last night although we are not quite back to the point she was before the stroke.’
As she has suffered a stroke she is at increased risk of suffering a second one, which means that her management team have to be very careful to pace her commitments.
What the singer, 62, was too modest to mention on Sunday night was that she has actually made an amazing recovery after a full stroke which left her speech ‘almost unintelligible’. Above: The star during her first audition on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009
Boyle had to learn how to speak clearly again and also had to have intensive vocal coaching so that she could sing. Above: The star in 2019
There are hopes that she will do a concert tour – her last one was in March 2020 just before lockdown – although it will most likely be more sporadic in nature and will probably not happen until at least 2024.
‘She is at her happiest on the stage and is keen to get out there but is advised by a small team who are not gung ho about anything to do with her health,’ I’m told.
‘But Susan is a very positive and upbeat person and can see a way back to performing again.’
On Sunday Boyle took to the stage to sing I Dreamed A Dream – the Les Mis smash hit which was her audition piece back in 2009.
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 extra special for me actually because last April there I suffered a minor stroke and I thought it would be crazy to be back on stage and I have done it!’
Ant then said: ‘Did you? We’re sorry to hear that, you’re very brave! Simon lovely 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 anyone was going to come back you were going to come back because we wouldn’t be the same without you! You are amazing.’
Dec then added: ‘It’s great to see you and it’s great to have you back home!’
In 2009 she made it through to the show’s finals, where she narrowly missed out on the top prize to dance group Diversity.
Her last public appearances were connected to her 2019 album Ten, which got to No 1 in the UK and Australia and No 49 in America.
Susan Boyle is seen performing on Britain’s Got Talent last night with Welsh singer Lucie Jones
Susan Boyle is seen at her home in Blackburn, Scotland. Her last public appearances were connected to her 2019 album Ten, which got to No 1 in the UK and Australia and No 49 in America
Susan Boyle sings I Dreamed A Dream in her first audition on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009
Her long-standing manager and good friend Andy Stephens came out of retirement for that album, which was also one of the final releases on the Syco record label which was wound up by Simon Cowell in September 2020.
Sony retain the label’s back catalogue.
When she came to fame, Boyle explained that she had been known as ‘Simple Susan’ and was told that she was ‘brain damaged’.
However in 2013 she shared that she has an above average IQ but also has Aspergers syndrome.
How known as Autism Spectrum Disorder it can lead to difficulties relating to others socially and repetitive or rigid thoughts and behaviours.
More recently she was diagnosed with Diabetes and had to shelter during the pandemic.
Her life story has been one of extraordinary, late success. Her debut studio album I Dreamed a Dream was the UK’s best selling debut album of all time and she was said to have made £5 million in her first year of celebrity. She has released eight albums in total.
She was the youngest of four brothers and five sisters of miner Patrick Boyle and typist Bridget, and raised in Blackburn.
She told interviewers that she had been bullied as a child. She always loved singing and went to acting school and sang in church.
In 1995 she appeared in Michael Barrymore’s My Kind of People.
In 1998 she paid to cut a demo at a local recording studio which she sent to record companies and local radio stations.
Her audition for Britain’s Got Talent caused a sensation and was seen by more than 120 million people within a few days.
Commentators hailed it as a victory for talent in an industry generally obsessed with looks.
She also moved many people with her honesty, and the story of her success which came late in life.
She said: ‘I know what they were thinking, but why should it matter as long as I can sing. It’s not a beauty contest.’
After the finals she was admitted briefly to the Priory as she was feeling ‘exhausted and emotionally drained.’
She emerged to take part in the BGT tour. There has been a memoir and various TV specials. There was a stage musical telling her life story staged in 2012.
In 2009 she made it through to the show’s finals, where she narrowly missed out on the top prize to dance group Diversity
Susan Boyle is seen on ITV show Loose Women in 2020. Her debut studio album I Dreamed a Dream was the UK’s best selling debut album of all time
Susan Boyle sings I Dreamed A Dream with the London West End cast of Les Miserables in 2009
She lives in the four-bedroom ex council house where she grew up, which she bought in 2010
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 in it.
She also bought the house next door with the intention of knocking them into one, but never did so and is thought to rent it out.
Most days her PA arrives to spend the day with her. As Boyle doesn’t drive she needs to be taken to the shops, dentist and hairdresser.
She also has a housekeeper who comes in four times a week and cooks for her.
A friend said: ‘For about 90 per cent of the time she lives as if she’s an ordinary Scottish spinster. The other 10 per cent she loves to sing and lives to perform.
‘She has a completely innocent take on it – she doesn’t care about money or chart positions but loves to perform.
‘It’s an interesting story with Susan because she has fame, but its always been on her own terms.’
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