A new BBC documentary celebrating the life and career of Scottish singer Susan Boyle will air on Hogmanay, December 31, 2026. Titled There's Only One Susan Boyle, the 45-minute film will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland and on iPlayer.
Commissioned by BBC Popular Music TV and BBC Scotland, the documentary is produced by Tern TV and will follow the Blackburn-born star's life, featuring an exclusive interview with Boyle and insights from her friends, collaborators and fans.
A Life-Changing Audition
The programme will include her iconic Britain's Got Talent audition, where she performed a rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, along with archive footage and personal photographs. Her audition 17 years ago left Simon Cowell and the judging panel speechless.
Within 24 hours, Boyle became an internet sensation. Her original I Dreamed a Dream cover has been viewed more than 264 million times online and propelled her to global stardom.
Fans and Tributes
Among her famous fans is Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet, who named her one of the 'greatest Brits' alive. Speaking of her audition, he said: "She dreamt bigger than all of us. Who wasn't moved by that?" He added: "I remember that like it was yesterday. That was like the advent of YouTube, you know."
The documentary will take audiences on a journey from Boyle's childhood to the audition that changed her life, exploring the wild, funny, moving and often surreal years that have shaped her life today.
Festive Broadcast
Susan Boyle said: "I'm delighted to be sharing my story in this new documentary with the team at Tern. My life changed overnight after Britain's Got Talent, and it has been an extraordinary and unexpected journey ever since. 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."
Executive produced by David Marshall and directed by Rod Tamime for Tern TV, There's Only One Susan Boyle will air on BBC One Scotland and on iPlayer on December 31, 2026.
