Posts Tagged ‘sensation’

Diversity beat Boyle in ‘Talent’ final

Diversity have been voted as the winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2009, beating long-time bookies’ favourite Susan Boyle.

The Essex-based dance troupe, comprising of brothers and friends, triumphed in the live final following a performance which Simon Cowell described as “sheer and utter perfection”.

Speaking after the result was announced by show hosts Ant and Dec, group member and choreographer Ashley Banjo commented: “When you guys said our name, I thought: ‘I’m going to wake up in a minute’.”

The 20-year-old added: “Can I just thank everyone that’s voted – you’ve changed our lives and I can’t actually believe it.”

Scottish singer Boyle, 48, was the competition’s runner-up – despite being favourite to win since the first episode aired. She had earlier performed a rendition of Les Miserables number ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, the song which made her a YouTube sensation following her original audition.

Paying tribute to the winners, she insisted: “The best people won. They’re very entertaining. Lads, I wish you all the best.”

Meanwhile, saxophonist Julian Smith finished in third place after impressing the public with a performance of ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story.

He revealed: “I’m just happy that I’ve been taking part in tonight and been part of the whole thing. It’s an honour.”

Diversity will now perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Show later this year. They will also receive a cash prize of £100,000.

Amanda Holden says ‘Boyle will have a huge hit’

amanda holden 'Boyle will have a huge hit'

Amanda Holden has predicted a bright future for Susan Boyle ahead of tonight’s Britain’s Got Talent final.

The show’s judge confirmed that she expects Boyle to have a hit record even if she does not win the ITV1 competition.

Boyle’s performance of Les Miserables number ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ at her original audition became a YouTube sensation after it aired in April. She remains the bookies’ favourite to triumph on the programme tonight.

Discussing the star’s chances, Holden told the Daily Record: “We’ve just got to keep being on her side and not assume she’s going to win.”

She added: “I would imagine that whether she wins or loses, she will definitely record ‘I Dreamed A Dream’. I think that that would be a huge, huge hit. It would go platinum.”

Boyle has become a subject of controversy in recent days following reports that she launched into a ‘foul-mouthed outburst’ at the Wembley Plaza Hotel.

Additionally, Lily Allen has described the Scottish singer as “so overrated”, while Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood claimed that she “sucks”.

Susan Boyle moved to safe house

Can Susan make it to meet the Queen?

Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle has been moved to a “safe house” as she prepares for Saturday’s final.

One judge, Piers Morgan, confirmed that she had become so “distraught” at negative media headlines this week that she almost quit the ITV show.

He said the singer from West Lothian was now relaxing with one of her closest friends from Scotland.

A former psychologist for Big Brother said she should be withdrawn from the contest to protect her mental health.

The 48-year-old church volunteer from Blackburn became an international sensation after her performances attracted millions of hits on video sharing websites.

But she is reported to be feeling the pressure, apparently losing her temper with tabloid reporters in the lobby of a hotel in North London.      If Britain’s Got Talent was an experiment in any university we would have to draw a line on that experiment
Professor David Wilson

Speaking on BBC Radio, Mr Morgan said he did not believe she would quit the show.

“She had a rocky moment a couple of days ago when she woke up and saw some very negative headlines and suddenly felt the pressure of world attention,” he said.

“You have to remember this is someone who has gone from complete anonymity to global stardom in the space of six weeks.

“It’s understandable. People should give her a bit of slack. She’s 24 hours from the biggest day of her life and she’s starting to feel the heat.”

The former tabloid editor said Ms Boyle had been reduced to tears several times during the week.

Psychological help

He said psychological and medical help was available to contestants, although he could not say if she had asked for such assistance.

“She is very distraught, to the extent where she packed her bags and was going to leave the show,” he said.

“She just didn’t see the point of continuing if every time she picked up the newspapers there was another avalanche of abuse.”

Responding to his comments, Professor David Wilson, a former psychologist for reality TV show Big Brother, said Ms Boyle should be stopped from going into the final.

He said: “I am amazed by the honesty he showed in revealing the depth of how distraught Susan Boyle is.

“If Britain’s Got Talent was an experiment in any university we would have to draw a line on that experiment because ethically we would be putting the person at the heart of that experiment through emotional turmoil.

“It’s a duty of care, it’s about a moral responsibility. The harrowing week that Piers was describing hasn’t been created by the press. The harrowing week has been created by the programme.”

Paul Potts on Susan Boyle

Legendary opera sensation Paul Potts gives his opinion on the up and coming Britian’s Got Talent superstar Susan Boyle