Susan Boyle beaten
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Susan Boyle was beaten "every day" as a schoolchild.
The 'Britain's Got Talent' sensation - who suffers from learning difficulties - told how she used to be hit with a leather belt because she couldn't keep up with her classmates, and felt she was "left behind" by the education system in her native Scotland.
Susan, 48, said: "You're looking at someone who would get the belt every day, 'Will you Shut up, Susan!' - whack!
"I'm just a wee bit slower at picking things up than other people. So you get left behind in a system that just wants to rush on."
The 'I Dreamed a Dream' singer - who rose to international fame after her audition for the reality TV talent show was seen by millions on YouTube - said she felt completely isolated by the time she got to secondary school.
She added: "I wasn't sure who was my friend or my enemy. I didn't make friends very easily. I did try to speak to people but they made fun of me."
Susan said she found escape in music, and was spurred to follow her dream of becoming a singer and apply for 'Britain's Got Talent' to fulfil her mother's dying wishes.
She continued: "We'd just seen a soloist singing on TV, just before she passed and I said, 'Is that what you want me to do mum?'
"She said, 'yes'. She had a good belief that I could do it. So I decided to do something about it.
"I couldn't straight away because the bereavement hit me hard. But I'm getting over that slowly and putting my promise into practice."
Susan's debut album, 'I Dreamed A Dream', is expected to reach number one in the UK album chart.
(C) BANG Media International
More Britain's Got Talent »
Ant and Dec annoyed by Brook
Ant and Dec were "p***ed off" with Kelly Brook.
Monday, 8 March 2010, 6.50am - in Television
Sharon Osbourne's BGT fury
Sharon Osbourne thinks 'Britain's Got Talent' should be called 'We've Got No F***ing Talent At All'.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010, 1.48pm - in Television
Simon Cowell to leave Talent?
Simon Cowell has threatened to quit 'Britain's Got Talent'.
Sunday, 21 February 2010, 1.06pm - in Television
BGT boob shocks Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell was stunned when a woman cut off her bra onstage during 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions.
Monday, 15 February 2010, 1.05pm - in Television
Amanda Holden wowed by singer
'Britain's Got Talent' judges have hailed a 14-year-old singer as the new Duffy.
Friday, 12 February 2010, 12.32pm - in Television
BGT child star row
'Britain's Got Talent' is at the centre of a child exploitation row.
Thursday, 11 February 2010, 12.32pm - in Television
