Latest news with #Susan
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Modest life of BGT's biggest star Susan Boyle revealed including £5 scampi & chips meals despite being worth £22m
Susan Boyle has declared she is set to make a stunning music return THE REAL SUSAN Modest life of BGT's biggest star Susan Boyle revealed including £5 scampi & chips meals despite being worth £22m SHE'S sold 25million records and is about to launch a musical comeback, but little else has changed for Britain's Got Talent legend Susan Boyle. Despite having an estimated £22million in the bank, the singer follows the same routine she fell into long before she became world-famous 16 years ago. 4 Millionaire singer Susan Boyle still enjoys £5 meals at her local fish and chip shop Credit: Tom Farmer 4 Susan shot to fame with her stunning audition on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 Credit: Rex Susan, 64, often hops on the bus before carrying bags of shopping back to her four-bed council house. Lunch is her favourite scampi and chips that costs £5.05 at a local cafe in her hometown in West Lothian, Scotland. Karen McClure runs a cafe that was Subo's favourite karaoke pub until it was converted into a restaurant eight years ago. She said: 'Susan still pops in now and again for a roll and square (a square sausage and bun) and a cup of tea. She always sits in the same chair at the back and she's happy to chat with me and the other customers. 'A few years back, she ended up joining a French man on his table and she was speaking fluent French. Global phenomenon 'I couldn't believe it. She can speak five languages. She told me that she was learning Mandarin at that time. 'She also did a degree a few years back, after she rose to fame. It's just incredible. 'She goes down to the local music shop and sifts through the records. She seems happy in her life.' The daughter of a miner and a shorthand typist, Susan shot to fame aged 47 on the 2009 season of BGT. 'I'm back' cries Scots superstar as she announces major music return Revealing that she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed, no one could have predicted the global phenomenon she would become when she took to the stage in Glasgow while wearing a gold dress. But her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables became a social media sensation and led to BGT being named the world's most successful reality TV format by Guinness World Records. Judge Simon Cowell said: 'No one knew who this lady was. "She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on the show and within 48 hours the clip had 500million views. We sold the format to more than 30 countries after that. It was unbelievable.' This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. Susan's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, became the UK's best-selling record of all time following its release in 2009. The unlikely star made eight albums in total and performed for Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2019, but her parents never got to toast her success. Her mum Bridget died aged 91 in 2007 and her dad Patrick passed away in the 1990s. Last month, Subo announced she has returned to the recording studio for the first time in six years to work on new material. 4 Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell was blown away by Susan Boyle's incredible voice The comeback, which she has been teasing to her 144,000 followers on Instagram, is remarkable given that she suffered a stroke in 2022 which reportedly affected her speech. One industry source told The Sun on Sunday: 'This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. 'She's always wanted to do a documentary and let people into her world and she's so excited for what's to come. "She's told everyone she knows that she's ready for a biggie.' However, while the star is thriving, the place she calls home, once a bustling mining town, has fallen into decline. A number of shops have closed and her favourite Jolly Roger pub is no more, meaning she has to travel to the next-biggest town outside Edinburgh to sing karaoke. This could pose a problem for Subo, who still has not passed her driving test despite recently buying a new VW car, according to one source. And her modest lifestyle is well documented. After winning BGT, she paid £65,000 to buy the semi-detached, pebble dash council house she grew up in. In 2010, she also splashed out on a £300,000 five-bed new-build on the other side of town, but she never settled and soon returned to her old family pad. Four years later, she bought the house next door for £110,000, later combining the two properties to create her dream home. Besotted fans still travel miles to turn up at her front door. But locals believe she has still yet to receive her first kiss because — they say — she has never had a boyfriend.
The Irish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Modest life of BGT's biggest star Susan Boyle revealed including £5 scampi & chips meals despite being worth £22m
SHE'S sold 25million records and is about to launch a musical comeback, but little else has changed for Britain's Got Talent legend Susan Boyle. Despite having an estimated 4 Millionaire singer Susan Boyle still enjoys £5 meals at her local fish and chip shop Credit: Tom Farmer 4 Susan shot to fame with her stunning audition on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 Credit: Rex Susan, 64, often hops on the bus before carrying bags of shopping back to her four-bed council house. Lunch is her favourite scampi and chips that costs £5.05 at a local cafe in her hometown in West Lothian, Scotland. Karen McClure runs a cafe that was Subo's favourite karaoke pub until it was converted into a restaurant eight years ago. She said: 'Susan still pops in now and again for a roll and square (a square sausage and bun) and a cup of tea. READ MORE SUSAN BOYLE She always sits in the same chair at the back and she's happy to chat with me and the other customers. 'A few years back, she ended up joining a French man on his table and she was speaking fluent French. Global phenomenon 'I couldn't believe it. She can speak five languages. She told me that she was learning Mandarin at that time. 'She also did a degree a few years back, after she rose to fame. It's just incredible. Most read in Celebrity 'She goes down to the local music shop and sifts through the records. She seems happy in her life.' The daughter of a miner and a shorthand typist, 'I'm back' cries Scots superstar as she announces major music return Revealing that she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed, no one could have predicted the global phenomenon she would become when she took to the stage in Glasgow while wearing a gold dress. But her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables became a social media sensation and led to BGT being named the world's most successful reality TV format by Guinness World Records. Judge Simon Cowell said: 'No one knew who this lady was. "She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on the show and within 48 hours the clip had 500million views. We sold the format to more than 30 countries after that. It was unbelievable.' This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. Susan's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, became the UK's best-selling record of all time following its release in 2009. The unlikely star made eight albums in total and performed for Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2019, but her parents never got to toast her success. Her mum Bridget died aged 91 in 2007 and her dad Patrick passed away in the 1990s. Last month, 4 Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell was blown away by Susan Boyle's incredible voice The comeback, which she has been teasing to her 144,000 followers on Instagram, is remarkable given that One industry source told The Sun on Sunday: 'This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. 'She's always wanted to do a documentary and let people into her world and she's so excited for what's to come. "She's told everyone she knows that she's ready for a biggie.' However, while the star is thriving, the place she calls home, once a bustling mining town, has fallen into decline. A number of shops have closed and her favourite Jolly Roger pub is no more, meaning she has to travel to the next-biggest town outside Edinburgh to sing karaoke. This could pose a problem for Subo, who still has And her modest lifestyle is well documented. After winning BGT, she paid In 2010, she also splashed out on a £300,000 five-bed new-build on the other side of town, but she never settled and soon returned to her old family pad. Four years later, she Besotted fans still travel miles to turn up at her front door. But locals believe she has still yet to receive her first kiss because — they say — she has never had a boyfriend. 4 Susan Boyle is making preparations for her long-awaited comeback to the music industry Credit: PA:Press Association
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
How a Britain's Got Talent star became show's 'biggest success story' despite not winning
How a Britain's Got Talent star became show's 'biggest success story' despite not winning Britain's Got Talent's biggest success story auditioned in 2009. Britain's Got Talent is gearing up to announce its latest winner, with one of the eight finalists set to bag a £250,000 prize and the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Show. The ITV competition has seen 17 winners so far, with Sydnie Christmas currently holding the title, joining the ranks of past victors such as Diversity, George Sampson, and Paul Potts. Yet, the programme's most remarkable success story isn't a winner. Back in 2009, Susan Boyle captured hearts and shocked judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Piers Morgan with her historic audition. "No one had any expectation, they thought I was a joke.... And then I started to sing," she once reminisced. As she conquered her nerves and "stomped on stage," neither the panel nor the audience anticipated the phenomenon that would follow. Although Susan was the runner-up to Diversity, she achieved global stardom, boasting the top-selling debut album worldwide in 2009. Susan Boyle has made history with her worldwide success (Image: Getty ) She went on to release multiple singles and eight albums, earned two Grammy nods, and became the first female artist to notch up three consecutive number-one albums within a span of less than two years. Susan has made several comebacks to the talent show circuit. Her latest appearance was in 2023, when she performed a duet with X Factor's Lucie Jones and revisited her iconic audition piece, "I Dreamed A Dream." During this period, Susan disclosed her private struggle with health issues, having endured a minor stroke, yet she expressed her determination to return to performing and "fought to be back on stage". The 64-year-old has now made an emotional return to music after taking a step back from the limelight. After a respite from the public eye, Susan ventured back into the recording studio for the first time in half a decade following the release of her album A Wonderful World in 2016. She stunned judges Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell (Image: Ken McKay ) She took to Instagram earlier this month to share: "Today was wonderful, emotional, and everything in between. "I made my return to the recording studio for the first time in six years, something I was told I might never achieve again. "But here we are, in my happy place! I want to thank my manager, Geraldine, for being my absolute rock through everything and for helping me get back to where I belong. A million thanks." Despite her break from the spotlight, Susan remains among Britain's Got Talent's most notable success stories, boasting a reported net worth of $40,000,000 (£30,000,000), as per However, she's openly shared that she doesn't intend to squander her wealth. Susan outside her house in Blackburn, West Lothian (Image: PA ) Reflecting on her life before the talent show in a 2019 YouTube video, she revealed, "Life before BGT was incredibly hard. I'd been the sole carer for my elderly mother, and money was incredibly tight. I struggled to pay the bills and buy food. "It was a pretty miserable existence, and I always felt like an outsider looking in." Moreover, she confessed: "I'm not a big spender, because for 47 years I didn't have any money, so I like to save it for a rainy day." The chart-topping songstress has remained true to her modest lifestyle, opting to purchase her mother's council home in Blackburn, West Lothian. Article continues below Susan took a moment to reflect on her remarkable journey, admitting she "never thought" she'd achieve such incredible success or have the chance to perform in so many countries worldwide. "I still have to pinch myself to believe it. I'm incredibly lucky and I thank god every day for how blessed I have been." Britain's Got Talent airs at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
UPI
a day ago
- Health
- UPI
U.S. cancer survivors grow to 18.6M; predicted to reach 22M by 2035
Breast cancer survivors march to the stage before the start of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in St. Louis in 2018. A study published Friday estimated 18.6 million cancer survivors live in the United States, up from 18 million in 2022. The number is expected to rise past 22 million by 2035. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo ST. PAUL, Minn., May 30 (UPI) -- The number of cancer survivors living in the United States is continuing its steady increase, rising to an estimated at 18.6 million as of Jan. 1, according to a study published Friday by the American Cancer Society. That number is projected to exceed 22 million by 2035, and is up from 18 million survivors in 2022, the authors found. Friday's peer-reviewed study, published in the cancer society's CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, also found that about half of those 18.6 million survivors were diagnosed within the past 10 years, and that nearly 4r out of 5 of them were 60 years old and older. The latest figures continue a pattern in which the numbers of U.S. cancer survivors are increasing each year, partly as a result of the growth and aging of the population, but also due to improvements in early detection practices and breakthroughs in cancer treatments. As in its previous estimates, the cancer society collaborated with the National Cancer Institute to tap data from a number of sources, including cancer registries kept by several federal agencies and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, as well as information from the U.S. Census Bureau. Using that data, cancer society researchers determined that among men, the three most prevalent cancers are prostate (3.55 million survivors), melanoma of the skin (816,580), and colorectal (729,550). Among women, the most common cancers were breast (4.3 million survivors), uterine corpus (945,540) and thyroid (859,890). "The increase in cancer survivors in the United States is a testament to the tremendous progress made by cancer research efforts across multiple collaborative stakeholders resulting in improvements in prevention, risk reduction, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, said Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of leading cancer centers. "While this milestone should be celebrated, it is important to remember that cancer survivors have unique needs during and after treatment, and disparities still exist in the receipt of these life-saving advances," Denlinger said. "Everyone should have access to high-quality cancer care as outlined in the latest evidence-based, expert consensus-driven guidelines. Through persistent research, broadened awareness, and unwavering access to guideline-concordant care, everyone has the potential to benefit from ongoing advances in cancer care and prevention." Though the numbers of cancer survivors continue to increase, racial and socioeconomic disparities in treatment also remain readily apparent, the study found. For instance, Black people with Stage I or Stage II lung cancer were less likely to undergo surgery than their White counterparts by a 47% to 52% margin. Dr. Nikita Sandeep Wagle, principal scientist within the Surveillance & Health Equity Science department of the cancer society and the study's lead author, told UPI she was surprised at "the extent to which treatment receipt differs in Black people compared to White people for some [other] cancers. "For example, only 39% of Black people with early-stage rectal cancer received surgery, compared to 64% of their White counterparts," she said. "Addressing disparities requires improving access to high-quality cancer early-detection, treatment and survivorship resources by expanding access to affordable insurance coverage through public and private programs." Meanwhile, perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the study relates to breast cancer. There, the statistics showed that the number of female breast cancer survivors is projected to jump from today's 4.3 million to 5.3 million by 2035 -- the largest expected survivor growth among the top 10 most prevalent cancers. In 2022, the ACS estimated slightly more than 4 million women were living in the United States with a history of invasive breast cancer. That included more than 150,000 women living with metastatic breast cancer, three-fourth of whom originally were diagnosed with stage I-III disease. One-third of female breast cancer survivors in 2022 were younger than 65, reflecting the relatively young median age at diagnosis of 63 years. The projected increase to 5.3 million female breast cancer survivors and those living with breast cancer by 2035 "is a testament to progress in early detection and treatment of breast cancer -- but it's only part of the story," according to Susan G. Komen, the U.S.-based breast cancer advocacy organization. While lauding the rising number of survivors, the group noted in a statement to UPI that every day this year, "we still lose about 117 people in the United States to this disease, and nearly 43,000 are expected to die from breast cancer in 2025 alone. "Recent alarming trends also show breast cancer diagnoses are rising among younger women, with the disease being the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 20 to 49," they said. Those survivors must also face complex challenges, ranging from loss of fertility and early menopause to fatigue, fear of recurrence and financial toxicity, "especially for those living with metastatic breast cancer. "While survival rates have improved overall, significant disparities remain -- especially for Black women, who continue to face worse outcomes, as the report highlights," Susan G. Komen said. "Continued investment in research, equal access to care, and comprehensive support are essential to ensure everyone -- not just some -- has the chance to survive and thrive." And, as the number of cancer survivors steadily rises, so does the need to keep them healthy, Wagle said. "It is surprising that there are now as many as 18.6 million cancer survivors, meaning more people need health care access to monitor for cancer recurrence, new cancers and side effects of cancer treatment," she cautioned.
Fast Company
a day ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How to move forward when you don't know your next career step
Some days, the idea of going to work can feel like a heavy weight you have to carry. If you wake up yearning for something more, you're not alone. Many professionals reach a point where they question whether their career aligns with their values, passions, and goals. They ask themselves whether they're living the life they imagined, and if they're doing fulfilling work. It makes sense that we ask ourselves these questions at different stages of our lives. Your career goals at 40 shouldn't be the same as when you were 20. Something needs to change. As two executive coaches who help people discover their purpose and achieve success, we've noticed that this challenge is on the rise. The good news is, you can take steps to mitigate this feeling of purgatory when you're so comfortable doing what you are doing and craving a challenge. The problem: feeling stuck Take Susan, for example. Every morning, she had to peel herself out of bed to face a job she could do in her sleep. There was no challenge, no spark, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction. Susan had reached the top of what she could achieve in her organization. As a loyal employee who spent 18 years at the organization, she struggled to imagine leaving the company she had grown up with over the years. But deep down, she knew it was time to explore a new challenge. Susan's story isn't unique. A recent 2024 study revealed that nearly half of the workforce feels burned out or dissatisfied with their current job. The reasons vary, but the outcome is the same: a gnawing sense that there's something more for you out there. The solution: Ten steps to take action Moving forward when you don't know your next career step—but knowing that you want more and something needs to shift—can be a very uncomfortable crossroads. It can evoke feelings of overwhelm. That's why we've created a road map to help you navigate the uncertainty and move toward clarity and action. Step 1: Admit you're ready for change The first step is acknowledging that it's time to make a move. Susan's inflection point came when she admitted to herself that her current role no longer served her growth or happiness. Naming the problem is the first step toward solving it. Step 2: Find a guide Hire a career coach or find a mentor to help guide you through the process. They can provide clarity, accountability, and a structured path forward. A good coach can help you break down what feels overwhelming into actionable steps. Step 3: Tap into what energizes you Pay attention to the moments when time flies, and you're in a state of flow. What work energizes you? Keep a journal or use the notes app on your phone to track these moments. Over time, patterns will emerge, revealing what excites you most. Step 4: Do a passion audit Evaluate your passions and interests to identify what lights you up. Use tools like Ruth's Passion Audit framework to assess where you draw your motivation, excitement, and where you can best spend your energy. What kind of work makes you feel alive and fulfilled? The Passion Audit helps differentiate between work you're good at, enjoy, would give up, or would do for free. It offers clarity on what work you should keep and what responsibilities you should shed. Step 5: Create a target list using the 3 Ps Build a target list of potential companies or roles by focusing on the 3 Ps: Prospects, Pivots, and Passions, like Mary's MVP 360 Degree Pivot Program This 10-step program uses a proven approach to ensure alignment between your values, your passions, your purpose, and your needs at this stage in your life, including your future career goals. Step 6: Assess your skills and build a learning plan Evaluate your current skills and identify gaps that you need to address. Start developing those skills through courses, certifications, or hands-on experience. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy are great resources for building new capabilities and even have AI tools to help craft your learning plan based on skills you want to learn. Step 7: Network before you're ready Begin exploratory conversations with your trusted network even before you're fully ready to make a move. Networking creates momentum and opens doors to opportunities you might not have considered. Step 8: Look within Sometimes, the best opportunities are closer than you think. Are there roles within your current company that could reignite your passion? By showing initiative and a desire for growth, you might be surprised at the doors leadership is willing to open for you. Mary's client, Adam, explored external opportunities but ultimately decided to stay at his company. His initiative paid off: he was promoted twice and now finds fulfillment in his work. Step 9: Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile Polish your résumé and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most relevant achievements and skills. Reconnect with your extended network and make it easy for others to find and engage with you. Your online presence should showcase the value you bring to the table. AI can help you here too. Step 10: Create clarity around your next steps As you refine your search, focus on roles that align with your values, passions, and skills. Having a clear vision for what's next will help you recognize the right opportunity when it comes your way. Navigating career uncertainty is challenging, but it's also an opportunity to reassess what truly matters to you. By following these steps, you'll not only gain clarity but also set yourself on a path toward work that excites and fulfills you.
