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.

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.

Thank you so much for sending in all your entries to the Susan Search on Youtube The standard has been really high. Thank you also for the lovely messages you have included. I have really enjoyed watching them.  I have continually been overwhelmed by the number of entries – I genuinely didn’t expected there to be so many.

So this week me and my team will be going through thousands of renditions of “Silent Night” and although it will be very difficult to chose just one person, the winner will be announced here on my website and on YouTube on August 2nd.

Love,
Susan

I am happy to say that I can now let you in on my secret: I am running an international competition to find a singer to duet with me on my next album. And I want you to enter!

A few months ago, as I was coming to the end of a very long and fantastic promotional tour, I started to think about the future: new album, new era, new songs. I also started to reflect on what a fantastic year I had had.

None of this would have happened without the right break and without the support of all the people who have listened to my music, sent me letters, travelled great distances to hear me sing.

I began to think about ways in which I could begin to return that honour. The past year has been a wonderful gift and I wanted to be able to pass that gift on. And once I get an idea in my head I am determined to make it happen - as you might already have guessed!

I decided that I wanted to give someone the opportunity that I had, a way onto the world stage, someone who has talent and just needs a break. For me it was through Britain’s Got Talent. It took me years to pluck up the courage.

Not everyone has the confidence or the means to be able to enter a big public competition and so I feel that this way it will afford people the same opportunity but in a less daunting arena. I will listen to all the entries and will choose the winner who will sing a duet with me on my next album.

If you are sitting in front of your computer now thinking, it could never be me, let me tell you it can be - I am the living proof of that! So follow the instructions and have a go! Visit my YouTube Channel to find out more.

I look forward to singing with you soon - whoever you are!

Go on! Do it! Take the plunge!

Good luck everyone.

Susan.

I do hope everyone is well. Since I last wrote to you on this page I have had a wee change of pace for a few months. After pretty much travelling everywhere I have been able to spend some time at home in Blackburn which has been great. I had some time to catch up on all the fantastic letters I have received and to answer many of them.

I am always overwhelmed at the good wishes that are sent to me and the support that I receive from people the world over and as I was reading your letters and the stories of your lives, it got me to thinking. I thought that what I would like more than anything this year is to be able to give something back - to pass on the gift that I had been given. So I have come up with an idea and I would like as many people as possible to participate!

Keep checking this website as I will be announcing details very soon…

With good wishes to you all,

Susan x

Not knowing whether she would be in the finals of the competition was just the tip of the iceberg of Susan’s uncertainty. Even if she had won the competition, Susan had no promise of a recording contract or a future beyond the show. There was a chance that she would return to Blackburn, perhaps a little changed for her experiences but to the same life nevertheless. One thing Susan was certain of, however, was her determination to change her life. “I went on the show to turn my life around,” she says now. Her determination paid off and we all know how the story unfolded!

Susan’s achievements have been the result of hard work, determination and against all the odds, a deep set belief that anyone can achieve their dreams. Susan has travelled the world as far afield as Los Angeles and Japan, she has met people she could previously only ever have dreamed of meeting such as Elaine Paige and Donny Osmond, she has been discussed on global news stations, in Parliament and in the Whitehouse, she is listed as one of 2009’s most influential people and her debut album, I Dreamed A Dream has achieved Platinum and Gold status across the world. Here is that list of achievements :

USA - 3 X Platinum
Australia - 9 X Platinum
New Zealand - 10 X Platinum
Canada - 4 X Platinum
UK - 7 X Platinum
Ireland - 7 X Platinum
Germany - 1 X Gold
France - 1 X Gold
Italy - 1 X Gold
Spain - 1 X Gold
Austria - 1 X Gold
Belgium - 3 X Platinum
Netherlands - 1 X Platinum
Czech Republic - 1 X Platinum
Denmark - 1 X Gold
Hungary - 1 X Gold
Norway - 1 X Platinum
Poland - 1 X Gold
South Africa -1 X Platinum
Sweden - 1 X Platinum
Switzerland - 1 X Platinum
Argentina - 1 X Gold
Mexico - 1 X Gold
Hong Kong -1 X Platinum
Malaysia - 1 X Platinum
Korea - 1 X Gold
Singapore -1 X Platinum
Taiwan - 2 X Platinum
Thailand - 1 X Gold
Japan - 1 X Platinum

All in all, not a bad year! Congratulations Susan.