BBC announces new show to tell "remarkable" story of Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle

The life and career of Susan Boyle will be the subject of a new BBC One Scotland and iPlayer documentary. Susan rose to fame when she competed on the third season of Britain's Got Talent in 2009, blowing the judges and audience away with her magnificent voice.

She finished as a runner-up on the show, but has enjoyed a successful music career ever since.

Susan's debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, became the UK's best-selling debut album of all time and set a record for first-week sales by a debut album.

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Commissioned by BBC Popular Music TV and BBC Scotland, There's Only One Susan Boyle will "tell the story of the woman behind the voice", per a press release.

The documentary, created for Hogmanay, will feature interviews from friends, collaborators, fans, and Susan herself as she reflects on her rise to fame.

A description continues: "Audiences will be taken on a journey from Susan’s childhood through to the audition that changed everything. The uplifting documentary will explore the wild, funny, moving and often surreal years that have brought her to the life she lives today."

Speaking about the show, the Hallelujah singer said she was "delighted" to be sharing her story.

"My life changed overnight after Britain's Got Talent, and it has been an extraordinary and unexpected journey ever since," she continued.

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"I hope the programme reminds viewers to stay true to themselves and follow their dreams."

Heather Kane-Darling, commissioning editor at BBC Scotland, said: "Susan Boyle's story is one of the most remarkable and uplifting to come out of Scotland in recent decades.

"From a small town in West Lothian to stages around the world, her journey has inspired millions.

"This warm, honest and entertaining portrait of a truly unique Scottish talent will be a festive treat for our audiences."

David Marshall, creative director at Tern TV, added: "We are hugely excited to be working with BBC Scotland and BBC Music to bring this unmistakably Scottish story to screens.

"More than a decade and a half since she first wowed the nation, Susan's story continues to inspire, and in her own words we get to hear how that one moment in time changed her life forever and made her a true national treasure."

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn