Susan Boyle’s barmaid jailed in drugs operation

The Happy Valley Hotel

By Cara Sulieman

A BARMAID from the pub which helped launch the career of singing superstar Susan Boyle has been jailed as part of a major drugs operation.

Shamed Ann Marie McCormack, 32, put police in touch with a notorious drug dealer in Blackburn, West Lothian, after an elaborate sting operation involving brave undercover officers.

They posed as drug abusing thieves in a bid to win her confidence so she would help them buy drugs.

And yesterday the mother of two was jailed for two years and nine months despite not having made any money from the deals herself.

Gerry Boyle blasts reality television

Gerry Boyle on the steps of the Dominion Theatre in Edinburgh

By CARA SULIEMAN

THE BROTHER of Scots singing sensation Susan Boyle today (wed) blasted the type of show that helped make his sister famous – as he held his own talent hunt in Edinburgh.

Gerry Boyle, who was holding auditions for his own music label, said TV talent shows helped artists lose their credibility.

He said: “No disrespect to my sister but when an artist goes to shows like the X Factor, I don’t know if the public wants to buy their album, because they lose their credibility.

“With Instant Music we have identified a gap in the music market and we’re looking for people who fit that.”

No fuss for Susan Boyle as film crew checks in

By Cara Sulieman

FANS failed to turn out for a Susan Boyle documentary when a Japanese film crew visited the Britain’s Got Talent star’s hometown of Blackburn today.

Two of SuBo’s biggest fans flew over from the States to meet up with a crew from Japan’s state broadcasters NHK to show them around the West Lothian town.

But they couldn’t find any of the singer’s fans so resorted to giving out badges featuring Susan’s smiling face to bemused passers-by.

Leslie McMillan – who had travelled from New York – said: “We just wanted to see where Susan Boyle was from and what her life was like before she became famous.”

TV FESTIVAL SPECIAL: Guru slams Britain’s Got Talent for manipulating contestants

Professor David Wilson (left) and Evan Davis (right) at the debate

By Rory Reynolds

@ the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival

A TOP reality TV guru has slammed Britain’s Got Talent for “manipulating” vulnerable hopefuls like Susan Boyle and Hollie Steel.

Professor David Wilson – a former senior consultant for Big Brother – blasted Britain’s Got Talent, saying that vulnerable contestants Boyle and ten-year-old Hollie should never have been allowed on the show.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival today (Sunday), Wilson said the primetime talent programme had deliberately encouraged Boyle because of her oddball appearance and heaped on pressure before the final.

He said: “I don’t think that Susan Boyle was even able to give proper consent.

“And the producers were not prepared to deal with the global attention she received.”

Speaking at a live debate chaired by BBC presenter Evan Davis, Wilson also hit out at producers for allowing nervous Hollie – who broke down in tears live on TV after a mistake – to perform on the show.

Hollie was allowed to begin her performance again after judge Simon Cowell stepped in to allow her a second chance.

Japanese film crew looking for Susan Boyle fans

By Cara Sulieman

A JAPANESE film crew are searching for Susan Boyle fans to join them in her home town to celebrate her rise to stardom.

The team – who are travelling from Tokyo for the project – are planning a programme all about Boyle-mania.

American Leslie McMillan is already signed up to show the group around Boyle related landmarks like the Happy Valley Hotel in West Lothian.

She spent two weeks in Blackburn earlier this year with her husband Del, visiting Susan’s old haunts.

Edinburgh Playhouse could be put up for sale

By CARA SULIEMAN

ONE of Scotland’s most famous theatres is up for sale after its owners decided to sell all their venues in the UK.

The Edinburgh Playhouse is owned by a US company, Live Nation, who are looking to offload their 17 properties across the country.

But the future still looks bright for the iconic venue at the top of Leith around 20 theatre operators are interested in the building.

Andrew Muir lends his good luck sign to Susan Boyle

The sign in the community centre

By Cara Sulieman

SUSAN BOYLE fans in Blackburn are getting a helping hand from last year’s Scots’ finalist Andrew Muir – they have borrowed the ‘good luck’ sign he used from his parent’s pub.

But they are hoping the second outing for the sign that is now hanging in Blackburn Community Centre will prove better.

When the community centre wanted to stage a semi-final party for Susan, they started to ring around looking to borrow some equipment.

Ralph Bell, the community centre manager, said that they had called in favours around the area.

Blackburn are supporting their Susan

Gary, Eildih, Morrgan and Kerrie Barkhouse are all behind Susan.

By Cara Sulieman

DESPITE rumours that Susan Boyle will be pulling out of Britain’s Got Talent, the residents of Blackburn still think she has what it takes to win.

Across the road from her modest council house, three generations of the same family are rooting her on.

Gary Barkhouse lives with his family and is certain that Susan will fly through the final to collect the winners trophy.

He said: “Some of the talent on the show is not what I would call talent. I suppose there’s a certain number of people they have to put through but you do wonder with some of them.

Susan Boyle to star in the jungle

 

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTTISH singing sensation Susan Boyle could be slumming it in the jungle as she is lined up for I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

It is thought that ITV are looking to cash in on the worldwide phenomenon that the 48-year-old has become.

And with more than 100 million views on YouTube, Susan could be a dead cert to win before she even starts.

The singer’s popularity overseas, particularly in America, would bring in a new type of viewer for the programme.

Singer Susan Boyle breakdown fears not true say family

Boyle is still going strong

By Lauren Crooks

THE FAMILY of Britain’s Got Talent crooner Susan Boyle have hit back at claims the star is having a nervous breakdown.

Mary Brady, 70, said rumours that the family are arguing over their sister’s career are “lies”.

Susan is said to be desperate to let everyone hear her sing but will have to wait until the show is over until she can jet out to the US.

But Mary insists there are no problems or disagreements.