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.

Congratulations to: Ms D. Cawley, Mr W. Grove, Mr D. Satterthwaite, Ms A. Howelles and Ms H. Coyne. We hope you thoroughly enjoy attending the opening week performance of I Dreamed A Dream The Musical 

The past couple of weeks have been rather busy but also lots of fun.

I celebrated my dear friend Lorraine Campbell’s 50th birthday. She had a big party and a good time was had by all of us. It was lovely to see friends I hadn’t seen for awhile as well as dance the night away and really show Lorraine how much we all care for her and love having her as a friend.

Three weeks ago I threw a party for my family, friends and neighbours- it was to say thank you and show my appreciation for all their support and kindness over the last few years. It was a great night and we had a wonderful band and before I knew it I found myself up by the microphone singing three songs, my signature party favourites Whistle Down the Wind, Who I was Born To Be and I Don’t Know How To Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar. We all had a great time and it was lovely to laugh and be with the people who have helped me along this incredible journey.

Apart from rehearsals for the musical I’m also focusing on my new album. There is something so exciting about working on a new project and entering unknown territory, I really enjoy this and the anticipation of getting back to my sanctuary in the recording studio and working with the talented Steve Mac. It’s a challenge to try out different songs and to be able to take yourself out of the comfort zone and experiment with new genres and different tempos and I am looking forward to it as soon as we can decide on songs!

One of my wonderful fans, Angel, a hugely talented singer recently auditioned for America’s Got Talent. I sent her a little video message to wish her all the best! I know that feeling of getting on the audition stage and I wanted to let her know that we are all behind her and rooting that she makes it through. I sincerely hope AGT say yes, they’d be daft not to!

On Tuesday, I was invited to St Augustines School in Edinburgh with Cardinal O Brian to support the charity work they do for SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund. They pupils have raised a staggering £52,000 so far and for Lent are focusing on raising money for Southern India. It was a great morning spent with the pupils. I helped make pancakes and successfully flipped a few as well and also watched a dance class, which I ended up participating in! Although I have two left feet and am as dainty as an elephant it was still a giggle!

I will continue to try and update you all as regularly as possible- life is getting busier, but I’m not complaining as I really am enjoying all the opportunities on offer! I’m a very lucky lady.

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 want to wish the Brit’s the best of luck at this prestigious ceremony and especially Adele, she’s a real superstar.

Amber, I will be thinking of you as you were such an important part of this album and to have The Gift nominated is just fantastic. Really I don’t think I will win but a girl can dream can’t she!

I never thought this would be possible three years ago and genuinely just to be named in the same category as Barbara Streisand and Tony Bennett is in itself wonderful.

Wishing everyone who’s been nominated the best of luck.

Susan

To enter, all you need to do to is answer the Susan Boyle trivia question. Click here to enter. We will be running this competition over the next 6 weeks, choosing a new winner each week! Good Luck and don’t forget to subscribe to Susan’s official Newsletter too. 

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.

- Robert Burns

I wish all my fellow Scots around the world a very happy Burns Night. In true Scottish style I’ll be celebrating with haggis, tatties and neeps and possibly a wee dram of whiskey to toast the bard.

I am really looking forward to enjoying this special occasion with friends and I hope all of you have who are joining in the celebrations have a wonderful time to.

Click here to read more about Kerry’s brave battle against cancer.

After Children In Need I had a much needed rest, going away for a weekend with my friends for a bit of pampering and going out for festive meals with friends and family members to say thank you for all their support.

Last week I did a morning of radio interviews for regional radio, which was great fun. Especially being interviewed by Dingo and Boogie for their Christmas day show, they were very funny and I couldn’t stop laughing throughout the interview, not wanting to give to much away, it’s definitely worth a listen to especially for some of the games we played. I’ve been running around this week trying to buy Christmas presents for my family and friends as well as attempting to wrap. It’s harder each year trying to be original with gifts and think of something that won’t just be put into a cupboard, but’s that is the fun of Christmas shopping for me.

I’m looking forward to Christmas Eve and attending Mass this year- for me that is what Christmas is about and gives me the opportunity to reflect on the past year and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with those closest to me.
I will be spending Christmas Day with my family this year, which I’m very much looking forward to, it is very important to be with those you truly love and my family over the years have given me some of my best memories, so here is to Christmas 2011 and the new memories we will make this year.

Interviews can be heard:
Bauer AM: 20th December
Bauer FM: Dingo & Boogie: 25th December
BBC Radio Scotland Janice Forsyth Show: 31st December
Smooth Radio: 20th December- 31st December and on the Smooth Radio Website

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’s appearance in the musical will be the first opportunity for people to watch her perform in the UK on stage since the Britain’s Got Talent tour in 2009.

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.”

Tour Dates:

NEWCASTLE, Theatre Royal
Friday 23 March - Saturday 31 March 2012
Box Office: 08448 11 21 21/theatreroyal.co.uk

ABERDEEN, His Majesty’s Theatre
Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 April 2012
Box Office: 01224 641122/boxofficeaberdeen.com

BRADFORD, Alhambra Theatre
Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 April 2012
Box Office: 01274 432 000/bradford-theatres.co.uk

LIVERPOOL, Empire
Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 April 2012
Box Office: 0844 871 3017/liverpoolempire.org.uk

DUBLIN, Grand Canal Theatre
Tuesday 24 - Saturday 28 April 2012
Box Office: (ROI) 0818 719 377/grandcanaltheatre.ie

BRISTOL, Hippodrome
Tuesday 1 - Saturday 5 May 2012
Box Office: 0844 871 3012/bristolhippodrome.org.uk

SOUTHEND, Cliffs Pavilion
Tuesday 8 - Saturday 12 May 2012
Box Office: 01702 351135/southendtheatres.org.uk

CARDIFF, New Theatre
Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 May 2012
Box Office: 029 2087 8889/newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM, Hippodrome
Tuesday 29 May - Saturday 2 June 2012
Box Office: 0844 338 5000/birminghamhippodrome.com

INVERNESS, Eden Court
Monday 11 - Saturday 16 June 2012
Box Office: 01463 234 234/eden-court.co.uk

MANCHESTER, Palace Theatre
Tuesday 19 - Saturday 23 June 2012
Box Office: 0844 871 3018/manchesterpalace.org.uk

An excited Susan said; “I am thrilled to have been nominated a second time for a grammy award. It is a real honour to be nominated at all but to be in a category with legends like Barbara Streisand and Tony Bennett, well I’m lost for words. It is wonderful.” ‘The Gift’ is the second album to have been nominated for a Grammy. Last Year ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ was nominated in the Best Pop Vocal category.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards are being held in Los Angeles on Sunday 12th February 2012.

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