Returning to Britain’s Got Talent was a highlight. It was very exciting to be going back to the stage where it all began three years ago. Singing You’ll See from my first album, I Dreamed A Dream, well I felt it was quite apt. It was a really enjoyable experience and I’m very glad I did it. My highlight was meeting the gorgeous Pudsey. What an amazing dog and I’m very very pleased he won. Ashleigh was an absolute delight and so talented to be able to train her dog to that incredible standard.

On Sunday it was off to Windsor to perform for the Queen. Another dream ticked off my wish list! I performed Mull of Kintyre, written by Paul McCartney as part of the Jubilee celebrations. To say it was an honour was an understatement. I have such respect for our Monarch, she is the backbone to this country and to be a part of celebrating 60 years as our Queen, it’s a moment that I’ll never forget.

The best moment for me was meeting the Queen herself and Dame Helen Mirren, it’s a memory I shall cherish.

A special congratulations to my record label, Columbia in the USA for winning the Grammy with Tony Bennett’s album. They are a super team to work with, very talented and deserved to win this award.

I am so sorry that I have not written sooner and been delayed in wishing you all a very happy 2012. I’ve been quite busy over the past few weeks so let me begin where I left off, Christmas.

I spent christmas with my brother Gerry. I had a wonderful time and was very spoilt by everyone. My favourite gifts this year were a big teddy bear and a christmas jumper that’s a bit loud. Thank you so much to you all for the gifts and cards you sent to me. I was very touched by your kindness, sorry I can’t respond to each and everyone of you individually. I am trying!

Christmas isn’t Christmas without the Pantomime and Cinderella at the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh was great and extremely funny- Allan Stewart, Scotland’s most popular dame was hysterical and Grant Stott was great to. I always enjoy a good panto.

New Year’s Eve I spent with friends, we had a lovely meal together and waited for the bells at midnight. It was a great party and good to see in an exciting new year full of expectations with my oldest and dearest friends.

2012 has started off well. I’ve been choosing songs and ideas for the new album which I’m very excited about. So far I’ve come up with 86 songs that are personal favourites as well as looking at new material. I really enjoy the beginning of a new album, I like the creativity and team work as well as asking my fans opinion- your thoughts are very important to me.

Elaine C Smith and I have been discussing more of the musical, which starts in March and I’m really looking forward to the stage shows and being a part of a big ensemble cast.

At the beginning of January I was able to escape for a lovely few days to Ireland to visit friends. We had a really good time. I managed to visit the place, Lough Swilly, where John Newton was inspired to write Amazing Grace after being shipwrecked. This song was on my first album, I Dreamed A Dream and it was a really special day especially with my connection to that song. I had lunch at a lovely little country pub and what started with one person at the bar ended up with over 40 people joining us.

2012 is going to an exciting year and I will try to keep my updates as regular and interesting as possible, I don’t want to bore you all! I will definitely be writing once a fortnight but if there is any exciting news then I will write more and share it here first on the website.

But it was seeing the kangaroos that really made the afternoon.

“Now you’re talking; boing, boing!” SuBo said before delivering an impersonation.

This is Susan’s first visit to Australia and is here to promote her brand new album, Someone To Watch Over Me, released on Friday November 4th. The album features breathtaking renditions of Unchained Melody and Both Sides Now, iconic songs Enjoy The Silence and Mad World, as well as original material including This Will Be The Year by Emeli Sande & Naughty Boy with Josh Kear and Return by Steve Mac & Wayne Hector.

Check out some video and pictures here!

Download the spectacular new album ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ on iTunes here!

The Daily Telegraph is also offering 25 lucky fans the chance to meet Susan Boyle on Monday November 7th at a secret location in Sydney – please see today’s paper and their website for all details (thetelegraph.com.au).

On her upcoming visit to Australia Susan said, “I am so excited about coming to Australia. I can’t wait to get there, to meet the people, to see the sights and to sing.”

Someone To Watch Over Me sees Susan Boyle and world acclaimed producer Steve Mac reunited to present a sensational and contemporary album that will span the generations. Featuring breathtaking renditions of Unchained Melody and Both Sides Now, Susan fearlessly takes on iconic songs Enjoy The Silence and Mad World giving them a new identity.  Original material includes This Will Be The Year by Emeli Sande & Naughty Boy with Josh Kear and Return by Steve Mac & Wayne Hector.

The album heralds a new era of music for Susan Boyle.  New material and classics combined with a variation of tempos from the ethereal to the dramatic, the music is stripped back and showcases the voice the world fell in love with.

Susan’s song choices were inspired by the life stories and inner most thoughts from people who wrote letters to her from around the globe. “There are certain songs that I liked that resonated with the letters that people had written and sent to me,” Susan said. “I knew that’s what my record needed to be about. They wrote about grief, love, happy and sad times, it was all deeply moving and the songs mirror the emotion and life experience.”

Comprising of her signature big numbers as well as the unexpected, this album will cement her credibility in the music world.

Someone To Watch Over Me is available Friday November 4th release at all good retailers. 

Known best for her element of surprise and a powerful and heart stopping voice, Susan has become a global top selling artist. With the phenomenal album sales, record breaking achievements and multi platinum chart domination- Susan has come a long way from the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2009.

To date her previous two albums, I Dreamed a Dream and The Gift have sold over 14 million copies and reached number one in over 30 countries.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER ‘SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME’

Track Listing
1. You Have To Be There
2. Unchained Melody
3. Enjoy The Silence
4. Both Sides Now
5. Lilac Wine
6. Mad World
7. Autumn Leaves
8. This Will Be The Year
9. Return
10. Someone To Watch Over Me

Susan’s song choices were inspired by the life stories and inner most thoughts from people who wrote letters to her from around the globe. Click here to read an open letter from Susan.

“There are certain songs that I liked that resonated with the letters that people had written and sent to me.” Susan said, “I knew that’s what my record needed to be about. They wrote about grief, love, happy and sad times, it was all deeply moving and the songs mirror the emotion and life experience.” - Susan Boyle

The global singing sensation is set to appear in the exclusive 11 week tour across the UK & Ireland which opens at Newcastle Theatre Royal in March 2012.

Susan Boyle says; “I am thrilled to be a part of the musical about my life story and very much looking forward to stepping on stage and performing with the cast. It is an honest portrayal of my life and has been a cathartic process to be involved in.”

Starring Elaine C Smith, best known as Mary Doll in BBC TV’s Rab C Nesbitt, the musical follows Susan Boyle’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global icon and features signature songs from her multi-platinum selling albums.

The superstar Scot is taking time out from recording her 3rd album to celebrate the big 50 with an intimate private party for her family and close friends in Scotland.

When asked about reaching this landmark birthday, Susan jokingly laughed, “Well there’s not much I can do about it. But I’m happy to be here and will be growing older gracefully”

She went on to say; “I’ve had some wonderful moments throughout my life, especially over the past two years and I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and encouragement, I wouldn’t be here without it and I appreciate it every single day.”

Simon Cowell said; “Happy 50th Birthday Susan. You are an amazing lady and I hope you have a fantastic day.”

Many thanks,
SB HQ.

In 2009 the Britain’s Got Talent star’s debut album ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ became the biggest selling album in the world and fastest selling album in the history of the charts – selling over 10million copies - and breaking all pre-order sales records on Amazon.

‘I Dreamed A Dream’ is now over 9-times platinum in Australia and held the number 1 position on the ARIA albums chart for a huge 11 consecutive weeks over the Christmas trading period. ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ also broke the record for the highest one week album sales in the history of the ARIA charts (over double platinum over the counter in one week) and was the number 1 selling album of 2009.
Official UK Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot said, “It is a great achievement by Susan Boyle, who has now scored two Official number one albums in the UK in less than 12 months. The Gift is one of the first big albums of Christmas, which is now just a few weeks away, and is sure to sell right the way through the festive period.”

SUSAN BOYLE ‘THE GIFT’ IS AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE NOW

The Mass will begin around 5.15pm, while in the pre-Mass programme Susan Boyle will sing the hymn “How great thou art” as well as her signature song “I Dreamed A Dream.” Following the final hymn at the end of the Mass, she will also sing a farewell song to Pope Benedict as he leaves the park to travel to Glasgow Airport for his flight to London and the continuation of his four day British visit.

Speaking from her home where she was rehearsing for the day, Susan said:
“To be able to sing for the Pope is a great honour and something I’ve always dreamed of - it’s indescribable. I think the 16th of September will stand out in my memory as something I’ve always wanted to do, I’ve always wanted to sing for his Holiness and I can’t really put into words my happiness, that this wish has come true at last.”

Susan revealed that she had been approached by Cardinal Keith O’Brien to participate, adding;
“My family will be there on the day on what will be a very special day for all of us and I hope they will be proud of me.”

Speaking of her late mother she said;
“I know she won’t be there physically, but she was at Bellahouston Park in 1982 and I know she will be there again, spiritually, she will be with us.”

On the importance of her Catholic faith, Susan said;
“The Pope’s visit is a very big event for Scottish Catholics. My own faith is the backbone of my life, I pray and say the rosary each day and am very close to my religion. I am humbled and honoured by this invitation and I hope I can do my best.”

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said;
“I am delighted that Susan will be able to perform for the Pope, I think it is wonderful that she will have this once in a lifetime opportunity and as her Bishop I am hugely proud of her.”

Since that phone call, Amber’s life has been turned upside down. She now has thousands of mentions on the internet, news crews are chomping at the bit to interview her and she has received thousands of good wishes from Susan’s fans. “I got a beautiful book that the fans had delivered to Syco for me. Over one hundred and fifty people had signed it and left messages of support. I was really overcome. Thank you , all.”

Amber’s meeting with Susan in London this week was a warm affair. Says Amber, “Susan was such a warm and lovely lady, she was very encouraging to me and we really laughed a lot in the studio. I was very nervous about it really but once I had met Susan she put me at my ease we got along famously.”

Says Susan, “ It was lovely finally meeting Amber, she is a very talented singer, there is something so warm about her voice. She was very impressive in the studio and I think our voices harmonized well together. I really hope people will like what we’ve done and I hope everyone will join me in wishing Amber much success in the future”

Amber is staying in London until tomorrow when she will fly back to her three children and her job as a medic in Brewerton NY but not before doing some all important sightseeing. “I am here with my brother and his partner and we are definitely taking in some of the sights. We have been on the London Eye which was beautiful and we are planning Buckingham palace – it’s always been my dream to see the changing of the guard.”

This is Amber’s first visit to London. On her first evening she and her family went for dinner at the famous River Café in Hammersmith west London where she dined at a table next to Gordon Ramsey. Tonight she is looking for London’s Best Burger!  “I love London. I have always wanted to come. It seems so cute and small compared to New York – and so busy! The architecture is beautiful, every detail is so wonderful. I have really enjoyed my time here and hope I can come back soon.”

CONGRATULATIONS AMBER, WINNER OF THE SUSAN SEARCH.

From thousands of entries Susan chose American medic Amber Stassi to fly to London later this month and join her in the recording studio. 

Susan called Amber personally yesterday (Thursday) evening, from her home in Blackburn, Scotland to break the news and congratulate her. 

Amber Stassi, 33 is from Brewerton, New York. On hearing that she had won, the overwhelmed mother of 3 said; -

“I can’t believe I just spoke to Susan Boyle, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win this competition. To receive this gift from Susan is truly a blessing and if I can pass this gift on to someone else who needs it like I did, that would be perfect.
We have had some hard times, if my father was here now he would be so proud, I know he’s here in spirit, but this is a chance to give my kids a good memory and maybe a chance at a better life.
I can’t believe I spoke with Susan - and that Susan and even Simon Cowell has seen my audition! This is crazy!! 

Amber Stassi will now embark on the journey of a lifetime, first stop, London to meet with Susan and her producer Steve Mac. 

Susan’s Search was one of YouTube’s most successful competitions ever and received one entry every 6 minutes after its launch.

Susan said; ” I never thought so many people would want to take part in this and I want to thank everyone.  It was very hard to choose a winner as there are so many talented singers around the world. Amber really stood out for me though. I enjoyed her audition clip very much, she has a lovely, very beautiful voice”