With the world watching on, unlikely internet singing star Susan Boyle found herself surprisingly pipped at the finish-line in the UK television talent show, Britain's Got Talent.

48 year old Scotswoman Susan Boyle attracted international media attention after her rousing rendition of the Les Miserables song I Dreamed a Dream in the heats of the competition (which she repeated in the final). The original video clip is closing in becoming the most viewed clip of all time.



In the British final, Boyle found herself up against a couple of 'child prodigy' singers including blubbering 10-year old Hollie Steele, Saxophone player Julian Smith, father & son comedy-dance act Stavros Flatley ("two little pudgy fellows" doing their version of Michael Flatley's Riverdance), and a couple of dance troupes including Diversity.

Boyle made it into the final three, but young East London dancer troupe Diversity were the surprise winners on the night, scoring 24.9% of the final vote, ahead of 2nd placed Susan Boyle with 20.2% of the vote.


The result surprised and pleased the bookies, who were facing multi-million pound payouts if Boyle had won, despite the short odds. UK bookmakers Ladbrokes says they've "couriered a crate of bubbly to Diversity."

Boyle was gracious in defeat, but has reportedly since been admitted to London private medical clinic The Priory, suffering from exhaustion.


Boyle loses out on the £100,000 first prize, but is still set to sign a lucrative record deal with Sony BMG (through Simon Cowell's Syco Music). The company is now offering her legal advice, psychiatric counselling and management services.

But before she can record her debut album, she has to prepare for the upcoming 18-date Britain's Got Talent tour. The UK tour with other finalists is a condition of competing in the show, and begins on June 12. Participants are bussed between venues, and paid just £500 a night (less tax and agents' fees).


Scottish spinster Boyle is due to fly to the Czech Republic as soon as the BGT tour is over, and under the watchful eye of Simon Cowell, she is scheduled to record an album of show tunes over three days with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

Given the international interest in Boyle, Cowell believes she can be even more successful that former BGT Opera find, Paul Potts. Cowell reportedly believes Susan is capable of scoring a US #1, with earnings of up to £10million in her first year. (Potts made almost £5 million). A number of high-profile personal appearances are already booked in, along with an autobiography offer.


Check out the winning announcement from Britain's Got Talent 2009, and Diversity's encore performance (HQ version)...