Middle-aged ‘hairy angel’ wipes the smile off Britain’s Got Talent judges' faces

Middle-aged, dowdy, with thick eyebrows and an unfortunate gait, she couldn’t have looked less like a star.
But Susan Boyle may be the surprise winner of Britain’s Got Talent after she stunned Simon Cowell with her remarkable voice. 
Unemployed and single, the 48-year-old has thick unkempt hair, bushy eyebrows and downy fuzz is noticeable across parts of her face.

Never been kissed: Britain's Got Talent singing sensation Susan Boyle

Surprise: Susan left the audience speechless with her amazing performance

Miss Boyle told presenters Ant and Dec that she lived alone with just her cat Pebbles for company. She said: ‘I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve never even been kissed.’
She then stomped across the stage and began clumsily gyrating her hips towards the judges, prompting laughter from the audience.

Speechless: The surprise reaction to Susan brought back memories of 2007 singing sensation Paul Potts (above)

A smirking Cowell asked her who she would like to emulate - to which she replied Elaine Paige.
‘I would love to be in musical theatre. I have just never had the opportunity,’ said Miss Boyle, who is from West Lothian in Scotland. 
Moments later, the music mogul and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan were left speechless by her powerful rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables.
Miss Holden appeared close to tears as she sang, while Cowell looked almost adoring.
The audience gave the singer a standing ovation and cheered as she finished the song.
The turnaround was reminiscent of mobile phone salesman Paul Potts's success in the first series.
The judges admitted they had dismissed Potts because of the way he looked – namely, awkward and with wonky teeth.

Dancing shoes: Bernie Riley shows his moves in Manchester

Harsh words: Jamie-Ann and Bradley listen to the judge's verdict

The 38-year-old is now a millionaire with a No. 1 classical album in 38 countries - and plans for his life story to be turned into a film.
Morgan said to Miss Boyle after her performance: ‘That was the biggest surprise I have had in three years of the show.
'You said you wanted to be like Elaine Paige and everyone laughed at you. You have proved them wrong.’

Purple passion: Anne Allen gives it her all in Manchester

Drums And Roses: The band with a Scottish theme

Miss Holden, 38, added: ‘I am just thrilled. I think we were all guilty of being cynical before. It was a complete privilege to hear you.’
Music mogul Cowell, however,struggled to admit he had been wrong, insisting that he knew she would give an ‘extraordinary performance’.
The show, which starts on ITV1 this Saturday, is open to any performer, any age, from any background, with any talent.

Family affair: Good Evans were popular, with 13-year-old Elliott (C) tipped as a star

The winner secures prize money of £100,000 and the chance to showcase their ‘talent’ in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance
The first episode also featured 59-year-old security officer Manjit Singh from London who showcases his strongman skills.
He pulled a van onto the stage purely by the strength of his ear and vowed to take on a Boeing 747 if he was put through to the next round.

Flawless: Sharp suits and attitude, but what did Piers and Simon think?

Family group Good Evans were also popular, made up of mother Estelle, father Giles, son Elliot, 13, and daughters Georgia, seven and Olivia, six.
They describe themselves as a modern version of the Von Trapps from The Sound Of Music.
They sang Michael Jackson’s I’ll Be There but the judges were damning about the parents' singing skills.
Show insiders have tipped teenager Elliot as the real talent of the band. 
Other contestants include a witch, Fabia the erotic dancer, and a Greek Riverdance tribute act.

Snakey Sue: But will she do it for you?

Betty Delight: Burlesque clown not suitable for children's parties

Now it its third run, this series of Britain’s Got Talent has already caused controversy after Cowell, 49, hired Kelly Brook to join the judging panel.
She joined the music mogul, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden on the team but was sacked after little more than a week, amid claims that having four judges was ‘impractical’.

 

There is no reference to Miss Brook in the first episode but producers insisted that she had not been snubbed and the auditions she attended would feature later in the series.
Britain's Got Talent begins on Saturday at 7.45pm on ITV1.

Panel: Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell will judge the talent